Intigam Aliyev: "Azerbaijan Will Soon Be Free" (UPDATED)

Having gained freedom, the head of the Legal Education Society Intigam Aliyev intends to continue his human rights work. He said this to reporters on March 28 at the threshold of his home after he was brought from prison.

He said that of course he is happy to be at liberty, but he is disappointed that many of his friends are still in custody.

"I would gladly refuse of my freedom for the sake of their release," said Aliyev.

However, he expressed optimism about the democratic future of Azerbaijan. "In general, these processes continue. I am convinced that our friends will soon be free. Very soon, Azerbaijan will also become free. I have no doubt about this. Despite such repression and pressure, the Azerbaijani society continues to struggle for freedom and democracy. It gives us hope," said Aliyev.

Support that Aliyev felt from supporters, activists and political parties showed that society's desire for freedom is extremely strong and it is impossible to suppress it by crackdowns, reprisals and pressure. -03B--

2016 March 28 (Monday) 18:39:54

People who were going to meet Intigam Aliyev after the release from   in front of prison N6 (his family, journalists and members of society) have been deceived by the prison administration. At  about 18:30 they were told that Intigam Aliyev has left the jail, and he was taken home.

But at 14:00 dozens of people  waiting at the  jail (Darnagul highway) were assured that a decision of the plenum of the Supreme Court for the release of Aliyev was not received   and as soon as they receive it,  Aliyev will be released. -06D--

2016 March 28 (Monday) 15:09:07

Despite the release of human rights defender Intigam Aliyev from detention, the defense intends to seek his justification in the European Court of Human Rights, reporters were told by the lawyer Javad Javadov. According to him, today in the course of the proceedings at the Plenum of the Supreme Court protection is still insisted on the termination of criminal proceedings and justification.

At the same time, the defense did not object to appeal against the public prosecutor for leniency in relation to the human rights activist's health.

Javadov  positively assessed the decision of the plenum,  and said that the defense  will file a  complaint with the ECHR on the recognition of  violation Aliyev’s  rights  guaranteed by the European Convention and its full rehabilitation. The son of human rights defender Kamil Nadjmin called the verdict for the release of his father as "pending".

"Although we do not believe that this is the restoration of justice, since the nature of the verdict remains guilty, but the release is important for the health of my father, and the continuation of his  activities," said Kamil.

The daughter of human rights activist Narmin Kamilsoy, in turn, said: "Of course, we expected a justification, because it was an unjust arrest, but nevertheless we are happy. Now he will be able to undergo treatment, to continue human rights activities, and to help other political prisoners.

We thank all of his lawyers, they tried very hard. We thank all the international organizations, friends abroad, who all this time have supported us, and for a moment did not leave us alone, " said the Aliyev’s daughter.-06D--

2016 March 28 (Monday) 14:01:06

The Plenum of the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan made a decision on clemency for Intigam Aliyev. The court replaced imprisonment for 7.5 years by a suspended sentence for a term of 5 years.

The Supreme Court decided to immediately release Intigam Aliyev, Turan reported from the scene. This was confirmed by the lawyer Fariz Namazly. -16D--

2016 March 28 (Monday) 12:33:00

On Monday, 12:00 a meeting of the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan began to consider the cassation appeal for leniency of the human rights defender Intigam Aliyev.

Only the lawyers Javad Javadov and Shahla Humbatova were allowed to the hearing, while representatives of the media, the public and diplomatic missions were not.

The trial is not private, but the presence of unauthorized persons at the Supreme Court hearings is not envisaged.

Intigam Aliyev was arrested on August 8, 2014 on charges of economic crimes. On April 22, 2014 he was sentenced to 7.5 years in prison. In July 2015 the Baku Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal from the defense and upheld the judgment in force. On February 24 the Azerbaijani Supreme Court also upheld the verdict on Intigam Aliyev. However, this week, the public prosecutor appealed to the Supreme Court for review of the sentence, referring to his "excessive severity."

Amnesty International recognizes him "prisoner of conscience". The US, the EU, the Council of Europe, the OSCE and other international institutions have called to release him. -16D06--

2016 March 27 (Sunday) 13:25:32

The appeal by the Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan Zakir Garalov on the case of the human rights defender Intigam Aliyev will be considered at the plenary session of the Supreme Court without the participation of the convicted person on March 28.

The defendant’s lawyer Javad Javadov said Aliyev himself would not attend the trial. "Such a practice does not exist and Intigam Aliyev himself has not applied with such a request," said the lawyer.

He stressed that Garalov’s appeal to the Plenum of the Supreme Court challenged only the severity of the punishment. In particular, it reads that a number of mitigating circumstances were not taken into account when sentencing Aliyev, including his illness and the absence of discussion about a sentence on probation. The public prosecutor raises a question of punishment change.

The position of the defense remains unchanged, and it will ask the Supreme Court to stop the criminal case on the grounds of acquittal, Javadov said.

"However, at the prospect of the release of Intigam Aliyev, we consider the appeal by the Prosecutor General as a positive step," Javadov said.

Intigam Aliyev was arrested on August 8, 2014 on charges of economic crimes. On April 22, 2014 he was sentenced to 7.5 years in prison. In July 2015 the Baku Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal from the defense and upheld the judgment in force. On February 24 the Azerbaijani Supreme Court also upheld the verdict on Intigam Aliyev. However, this week, the public prosecutor appealed to the Supreme Court for review of the sentence, referring to his "excessive severity."

Amnesty International recognizes him "prisoner of conscience". The US, the EU, the Council of Europe, the OSCE and other international institutions have called to release him. -06D--