Political and public activists criticize Ali Aliyev's arrest

Baku/14.01.22/Turan: Public and political activists in their comments in social networks condemned the arrest of the leader of the Citizens and Development Party (CDP) Aliyev "for slander.

On January 13, the Yasamal District Court chaired by Husein Safarov sentenced Ali Aliyev to five months of imprisonment on the complaint of border guard Emil Jafarov. The officer considered as slanderous Aliyev's statement in an interview to mass media that there were no survivors in the Mi-17 helicopter crash on November 30. Thus, he questioned the presence of Jafarov and the other surviving officer in the helicopter.

Public activist Bakhtiyar Hajiyev called Ali Aliyev's arrest "an express court decision." Hajiyev said he was "shocked" by what was happening in court.

"The court "clarified everything" in one session. When the lawyer asked for time to prepare to speak, the judge gave only 5 minutes.  When the defense protested, the judge "counted" it as a statement.

Aliev's protest was also counted as the "last word." The judge ran to the conference room, quickly returned and read out the verdict", - said Hajiev.

In his opinion, Aliyev was arrested on political order. "No one is immune from such a thing. Therefore, everyone should oppose the "express slander" trials.  Ali Aliyev should be released.

The authorities, without noticing the "crime" in Tofig Yagublu's black eyes, arrested the Party leader for a phrase "it does not seem plausible to me," said Hajiyev.

Rufat Safarov, Executive Director of Defence Line NGO, also thinks that Aliyev was arrested under a "direct order" and the organization intends to protect his rights.

The Azerbaijani Talysh Public Council also strongly condemned Aliyev's arrest. The organization called on all freedom-loving organizations and citizens of Azerbaijan, intellectuals and scientists to show solidarity in defense of Aliyev's rights.

The leader of the Party of People's Front of Azerbaijan (PPFA) Ali Kerimli also considers Aliyev's arrest politically motivated.  "The court imprisoned him for five months under the pretext of "slandering the military".

It is absurd to arrest a Party leader for his opinion in a country where billions are plundered and people are killed under torture," Kerimli said.

Ali Insanov, head of the Law and Justice Party, is also sure that Aliyev's statements contain no crime.

"The free world cannot understand what is happening in Azerbaijan.    We demand the release of Aliyev", - said Insanov.

Arif Hajili, head of "Musavat" Party, believes that Ali Aliyev was arrested by special order. "Aliyev's arrest is another example of ruthless struggle against freedom of speech, intolerance to criticism, disrespect for law and order," Hajili said.

Tofig Yagublu, a member of the National Council of Democratic Forces and the Musavat Party, called Aliyev's arrest a continuation of "37th year.

Iqbal Aghazadeh, chairman of the Umid Party, sees Aliyev's arrest as pressure on the political party leader. "The Umid Party calls on the government to fulfill its obligations to international organizations and hold fair and impartial trials," the Party chairman said in a statement.

Gubad Ibadoglu, chairman of the Democracy and Welfare Party, believes that the arrest of a political party leader, either scientist, doctor or educator on trumped-up charges should be condemned. -06В-