"Defense Line" on the worst human rights violations in May

Baku/03.06.22/Turan: On June 3, the human rights organization "Protection Line" presented a monthly report on the state of human rights in Azerbaijan in May. 

According to Rufat Safarov, the executive director of the organization, noted at the presentation, during the reporting period, facts of pressure on critics of the authorities continued, physical violence against arrested activists took place. During this period, a physical attack was made on the journalist Ayten Mammadova.

However, in this case, as well as in connection with the kidnapping of activist Bahtiyar Hajiyev, no one has been held accountable.

Safarov also pointed to the continued persecution of activists expelled from Germany and the threat of an assassination attempt on blogger Tural Sadigly living in Europe.

At the same time, he noted some softening of the treatment of the security forces with the protesters. However, in recent weeks there has been a renewed trend of arrests of government critics on charges of drug trafficking.

Safarov pointed to the arrests of blogger Rashad Ramazanov and PFPA activist in Ganja Razi Alyshov on these charges.

Safarov also spoke about the pressure of believers who came to the trial of their like-minded Razi Abbasov. After the police dispersed the crowd, three of them were arrested for 30 days, and two were severely beaten by the police.

Pasha Umudov, a former political prisoner released after the act of pardon on May 27, also spoke at the presentation. He said that after the arrest, members of his family were also subjected to pressure, who were expelled from the rented apartment, and his son-in-law, who worked as a doctor, was fired.  –30В06-