Public support for Hilal Mammadov

 On Tuesday the Committee to Protect the rights of arrested editor of "Tolyshi Sado", Hilal Mammadov,  held  a broad public debate on his case. It was timed to the trial  in the case of  Mammadov, which  will begin on August 29 in the Nasimi Court  on tortures during  his arrest, and after his arrest on July 21.

Public hearings were held with the participation of intellectuals, political parties, civil society and media in Azerbaijan  in the headquarters of the Musavat party. The Committee informed the participants on the progress of the investigation and measures taken over two months  for protecting his rights. According to the chairman of the National Committee of Helsinki Citizens' Assembly, Arzu Abdullayeva, the investigation has convinced the committee that the charges against Mammadov on  drug possession and treason  were fabricated.

Today after an official investigation, in  Astara, Lankaran and Masalli regions the investigation   makes pressure  on local residents to obtain evidence against Mammadov.

Concerning the reasons for arrest  of Mammadov, the  cartoonist Matlab Dadashov, said that social activists and journalists who advocate cultural and socio-economic rights  are mainly subjected to pressure  in the southern region.

It is not a secret that  Mammadov’s case  has ethnic tinge,  because he defended the rights of ethnic Talysh. Chairman of Musavat Party, Isa Gambar,  condemned the national government policies,  and noted that each ethnic group has the right to express themselves in their native language. "If Talysh people do not develop their own language and culture, what they can contribute to the culture of the Azerbaijani people," he said.

Novella Jafaroglu, the chairman of society named after Dilara Aliyeva, called on not note the ethnic context, noting that the rights of all people in Azerbaijan  are widely suppressed, regardless of their origin.

Arzu Abdullayeva announced plans for the resumption of Azerbaijani House for organization of  public dialogue among all ethnic groups. The participants signed a greeting to Hilal Mammadov, whose  birthday is today – 53 years old, and decided to assemble on August 29 in front of Nasimi Court, where a closed trial will be held. It was also decided to obtain an open trial   in Mammadov’s case.

*  Chief Editor of "Tolyshi Sado" , the deputy head of the Talysh Cultural Centre, Hilal Mammadov was arrested  on June 21 on charges of drug possession. Already on July 4  he was charged under Articles 274 (high treason) and 283.2.2 (incitement of national, racial, social and religious hatred, hostility, and ethnic discrimination.)

The local and international democratic community  is convinced  that Mammadov is being  persecuted for political reasons during his active civil position  and human rights activities.

Mammadov is the author  of a popular online video on  Azerbaijani Meykhana "Who are you? Come on, goodbye." -0-