NGO Calls on Embassies to Intervene in Bayram Mammadov�s Case

Baku / 09.04.19 / Turan: The NGO For Democratic Elections sent an appeal to law enforcement agencies, as well as to the embassies of leading world powers, about the youth activist Bayram Mammadov, who was subjected to administrative arrest two weeks after his release from prison

"Thirteen days after his release, Bayram Mammadov was again arrested administratively and is tortured every day," the statement says.

Unfortunately, the public is not informed of the details of what happened in the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), but the activist himself reported torture through his lawyer.

The appeal refers to the threat to another youth activist and political prisoner Giyas Ibrahimov, who was taken to the head of the Baku police and demanded to stop scolding the authorities. According to the police chief, Ibrahimov may be attacked on the street and the police will not be able to protect him.

An analysis of events shows that the authorities are trying to silence the critics of the government. Bayram Mammadov should be immediately released and hospitalized, and his torturers should be punished according to the law, the appeal says.

Recall that Bayram Mammadov and Giyas Ibrahimov were arrested on May 10, 2016 on charges of drug trafficking. However, the real reason for their arrest was the writing of political slogans on the pedestal of the monument to Heydar Aliyev in the center of Baku.

Both were pardoned on March 16, 2019. Two weeks later, Mammadov was accused of disobeying the police and arrested for 30 days. A couple of days later, Mammadov reported beatings and torture police officers in the detention center. According to some reports, he has a concussion and numerous injuries on the body.

The MIA denies all this. -02D-