Patriarch Kirill Sent a Promotion, Calling for the Release of Hilal Mamedov

A group of Russian scientists and representatives of the Talysh Diaspora in Russia appealed to Patriarch Kirill with a request to promote the release of Hilal Mamedov, the author of  "Who are you? Come on! Bye-bye!" video, arrested in Azerbaijan, was arrested in Baku on 21 June on drug possession charges. A few days later, Mamedov faced new charges of treason and inciting ethnic hatred.

Those who wrote the letter to Patriarch Kirill, and many representatives of the Azerbaijani public, say these accusations against Mamedov are absurd.

"Hilal Mamedov was a graduate student at the Mathematics Institute named after Steklov of the USSR Academy of Sciences in Moscow where he earned his Ph.D.  As a graduate and staunch supporter of  Soviet and Russian education systems, Mamedov researched adhereing to the values ??celebrated by the national spiritual tradition, largely based on ideas of Christianity and Islam," the authors wrote.

Hilal Mamedov, of  Talysh nationality, taught his students, the importance of respect for all people, regardless of their religion, which is dictated by the common political destiny of the past three centuries.

"After the death, in an Azerbaijan prison, of another illegally convicted Talysh scientist, Novruzali Mamedov, he continued to issue the "Voice of the Talysh" paper, where materials published were exclusively of cultural orientation.," the authors said further.

Mamedov also actively communicated, in this virtual space, information about the Talysh expanding on music, folk customs and traditions on the network. "However, Azerbaijani authorities do not allow dissent or freedom. The video "Who are you? Come on! Bye-bye!" posted online by Mamedov, became very popular, and was the reason for Hilal's arrest.  The situation was aggravated when the Talysh Cultural Evening was attended by the film group of Russian TV channel, NTV, thus the liberal scholar and the culture of the small nation he promoted, became widely known. The demonstration of Mamedov's interview on Russian TV hastened his arrest," the authors of the appeal said.

The absurdity of these charges and Mamedov unlawful arrest, is recognized by Azerbaijani, Russian and international human rights and religious organizations.  "Knowing your mercy and your standing in the world, we ask you, dear Patriarch, to assist in the liberation of Hilal Mamedov," the authors said in conclusion.

The appeal was signed by O.V. Besov, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, department head at the Institute of Mathematics, K.O. Besov, a senior fellow of the Institute of Mathematics, Ismail Shabanov, head of Talysh Diaspora in Russia, Atakhan Abilov, human rights advocate, international lawyer and the Chairman of the religious organization of Shiite Muslims, Fatil Jafarov.-0--