Human Rights Activists Condemn Verdict for Ilgar Rzayev

The human rights campaign "Sing for Democracy" in a statement condemned the verdict passed on August 31 by the Narimanov District Court of Baku that convicted Ilgar Rzayev, the son of Shirinbadzhi Rzayeva that sharply criticized the government at an opposition rally in Baku on April 22. 

The court sentenced Rzayev to 2 years in prison on charges of drug possession. The statement recalled that Ilgar Rzayev was a resident of the house at 21 Mirzaga Aliyev Street and together with his family opposed the demolition of the residential.

The campaign activists believe that the conviction was linked to the civic activity of Ilgar and his mother.

The Rzayevs' house was demolished without a court order in a few days after speaking at a rally mother. Therefore, the activists believe that Rzayev was convicted for political reasons and punished for taking part in protests on the eve of Eurovision 2012 in Baku.

The campaign "Sing for Democracy" called on the authorities to release Rzayev, and the international community to influence the official Baku for this purpose.

The campaign "Sing for Democracy" was held with more than 30 local NGOs to draw attention to the problems of democracy on the eve of Eurovision 2012. -06D-