PFPA Demands to Stop Arbitrariness against Saleh Rustamli

Baku/30.03.21/Turan: "The authorities must immediately stop arbitrariness against Saleh Rustamli and immediately release him and all other political prisoners." This is stated in the statement of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA).

"There are reports of serious pressure on the former head of the executive power of the Gadabay region, an active participant in the First Karabakh war, Saleh Rustamli," the PFPA said in a statement.

“According to available information, the pressure on him increased after he refused to write a petition for pardon addressed to Ilham Aliyev.

The authorities decided to "break" him spiritually and physically. As Rustamli told his relatives, he was threatened with troubles for his family members,” the statement says.

“Saleh Rustamli, who lived and worked in Russia for many years, was arrested in 2018 in Azerbaijan for providing material assistance to the families of political prisoners.

Rustamli told his relatives that if the pressure does not stop, he will go on a hunger strike,” the PFPA statement said.

The PFPA demands from the Azerbaijani government to immediately stop the arbitrariness and lawlessness against Rustamli.

The PFPA calls on the foreign diplomatic corps and the international community to stand up for Saleh Rustamli and take real steps to stop the pressure on him.

The Popular Front Party also calls on the country's public to raise their voice of protest and support Saleh Rustamli.

* Recall that Saleh Rustamli, a supporter of the Popular Front Party, was arrested in May 2018 and sentenced to 7 years and 3 months in prison in the scandalous case of "illegal financing of the Popular Front Party." Human rights activists recognize him as a political prisoner. —06D-