Human rights defenders express concern over illegal arrests and pressure on political prisoners

Baku/11.07.18/Turan: The authorities have recently reinforced the repressive policy, stated at today's press conference the coordinator of the Center for the Protection of Political Prisoners OgtayGulaliyev. The press conference was attended by other human rights activists and members of the families of political prisoners. According to Gyulaliyev, a new wave of arrests began after the energy blackout, fired at the Mingachevir Thermal Power Plant and an attempt on the head of Ganja, ElmarVeliyev.

"According to official information, in connection with the events in Ganja, including yesterday unrest, 52 people were arrested. However, according to unofficial data, about 100 people were arrested,"the activist said. According to him, those who criticized Veliyev, those who approved the actions of YunisSafarov who shot him, and also the critics of the government in general, are being arrested. Lawsuits are being launched against the heads of a number of websites, at least 4 on-line publications have been blocked.

Gyulaliyev said that human rights activists are naturally against confrontation and bloodshed. "However, many things remain unclear in connection with yesterday's events in Ganja. Official communications are not convincing. Due to the destruction of independent media - there were no representatives of independent media at the scene of the events. Investigative bodies do not submit videos reflecting the course of events. In such a case, the question arises: why thelaw enforcement bodies ensure security measures at the rallies with participation of many thousands opposition members and control the action of each participant, but were unable to provide security at the action in the city of Ganja with the participation of 150-200 people, and as a result two police officers perish,"noted Gyulaliev.

The latest cases of inhuman treatment in prisons with political prisoners was also stated at the press conference political prisoners. BakirRustamzadeh, the father of IlkinRustamzadeh, the activist of the NIDA Movement said that his son is under pressure, when he talks on the phone someone is attached to him, recently he is not allowed to meet with his parents.

FigaNovrasli, the wife of journalist FikretFaramazoglu, said that her husband has serious illnesses, but he is not being treated.

KenulIsmailova, the wife of the blogger Rashad Ramazanov, said that her husband is not allowedreading books and manuscripts.

The wife of journalist AfganSadigov, SevinjSadigova, said her husband was arrested on July 7 for 30 days, but information about the place of his detention is still not provided. -03C06-