Court of Appeal Dismisses Ilgar Mamedov’s Appeal against District Election Com mission

Baku Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal against the cancellation of registration of the imprisoned leader of the movement REAL Ilgar Mamedov as a candidate in the 90th Agdash Electoral District.

Mammadov’s solicitor, Executive Secretary of the movement REAL Natig Jafarli told Turan. According to him, the defense will appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.

As explained Jafarli, the district election commission initially approved Mamedov as MP candidate, and even issued a subscription lists for collection of signatures for registration. However, after the intervention of the Central Election Commission on April 29 Sheki Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal and thus the District Election Commission canceled the decision to approve Mamedov as candidate.

Jafarli believes that the decision of the district commission is illegal because there is a decision of the ECHR on the illegality of Mamedov’s arrest and the violation of his rights under article 18 of the European Convention, meaning his political persecution. ECHR has demanded the immediate release of Mamedov and its decisions are obligatory for Azerbaijan. Therefore Mamedov has the right to participate in elections.

* Mamedov was sentenced to 7 years in prison on charges of organizing riots in Ismayilli in January 2013. Amnesty International recognized Mamedov prisoner of conscience, demanding his immediate release. Repeated elections in the 90th constituency are held in connection with the cancellation of the results of the November elections. -06C--