Political Prisoners Monitoring Center informs about new facts of violations

Despite the declarations of the authorities in ensuring freedom of expression and political pluralism in Azerbaijan, human rights situation continues to deteriorate, reads the statement received by Turan  from the Political Prisoners Monitoring Center.

In particular, it points to the continued practice of the condemnation of citizens on trumped up charges. So, last week Rovshan and Rufat Zahidov,  relatives of  political emigrant , journalist Ganimat Zahid, were sentenced to 6 years in prison on charges of illicit trafficking in drugs. In addition, for the past 10 days  there is no information about the fate of Khagani Nasirov,  an activist of the Nasimi branch of the Popular Front Party.

The pressure on believersis ongoing . On charges of illegal possession of weapons  was convicted Nuhbala Rahimov,  imam  of "Rahima Khanum"  Mosque in  the village of Nardaran, and believes Raji Babayev. Thus believers make up half of the list of political prisoners of the approximately 100 people.

Furthermore, filed a criminal lawsuit against the lawyer and human rights defender Elchin Mammadov.

Tax Office has initiated a lawsuit against the lawyer Asabali Mustafayev.

The Movement "D - 18" was evicted from his office, and an illegal search in the publishing house "Qanun" was conducted.

"These facts show a gross violation of human rights and freedoms recognized in the European Convention. Our organization expresses protest against the illegal actions of the authorities and demands to stop pressure on lawyers and journalists, the transparency of the judicial process, the release of political prisoners,"  said  Elshan Hasanov,  the head of the Political Prisoners Monitoring Center.

* The Political Prisoners Monitoring Center was founded in the autumn of 2014 by a group of former “prisoners of conscience.”- 06D--