Public Protects Nazperi Dostalieva

Intellectuals and civil society activists are outraged by the decision of the Nasimi District Court of Baku. It has fined artist Nazperi Dostalieva 50,000 manat in a suit filed by singer Ilhama Guliyeva.

The legal action was initiated against Dostalieva after she performed at the wedding of the son of Isa Gambar, leader of the Musavat party Musavat.

Subsequently, a number of TV channels, including AzTv, denied air access to Dostalieva.

Commenting to Turan, Mehriban Vazir, a member of the Public Chamber, noted that Guliyeva previously filed a lawsuit against Dostalieva, but it was rejected.

"Apparently Nazperi Dostalieva is punished for performing at the wedding of the son of Isa Gambar," said Vazir. This is a bad precedent for the authorities to not only punish political opponents, but even artists who dare to communicate with them. All of this has a purpose to intimidate artists, Vazir believes.

Novella Jafaroglu, head of the Society for Women’s Rights shares the same opinion. She sees political overtones in the court ruling.

"We will defend the rights of Dostalieva at the appellate court so that a fair decision is issued," said Jafaroglu.

Leila Yunus, Director of the Institute for Peace and Democracy, drew a parallel between the decision of the court and a speech by Ilham Aliyev on Police Day. According to her, the President divided people into "us" and "them" and the decision of the court is a consequence of this division.

Earlier, authorities put pressure on the group Sharon, who performed a protest song Susma (Do Not Be Silent), and now Dostalieva is punished for performing at the wedding of Gambar's son, Yunus said.

"Tomorrow any painter will be punished for painting the walls in the apartment of a man who does not like this government," said Yunus. -05B-