The convicted human rights activist Rasul Jafarov has paid his tax debt in accordance with the court decision, reads the message published on the behalf of Jafarov on Facebook.
Relevant documents for payment of the tax will be presented on 31 July to the Baku Court of Appeals, on appeal Jafarov. According to his lawyer Fariz Namazly, the Article 213.1 of the Criminal Code provides for exemption from criminal liability at maturity of the tax debt.
Therefore, the court must terminate the charge under Article 213.1 Jafarov and to cancel his sentence for it in the form of years of imprisonment.
According to the same article of the Criminal Code, the first time convicted on charges of not paying taxes, in the case of debt is discharged.
Repayment of the debt, taking into account other mitigating circumstances allows the court to replace the remainder of the term of imprisonment for a suspended sentence, said Namazly.
At the same time, the appeal raises the question on complete innocence of Jafarov, and insists on acquittal. He also noted that the payment of tax debts does not mean that Jafarov pleaded guilty. "He is currently in court contesting the lawfulness of accrued debt 6257 manats," said the lawyer.
Jafarov said in a statement also notes that the tax debt is paid not only to mitigate the punishment, but also to take this step in order to demonstrate readiness for dialogue with the authorities, said the lawyer.
*Jafarov was arrested on 2 August, 2014. He was charged under Articles 192 (illegal business), 213 (tax evasion), and 308 (abuse of power) of the Criminal Code. International human rights organization Amnesty International considers him a "prisoner of conscience". After the announcement of the verdict Jafarov said it was fabricated and politically motivated. The court did not prove any fault of Jafarov. All the prosecution witnesses have testified in favor of the human rights activist, the process actually proved his complete innocence. In numerous statements and appeals by international organizations, including the Council of Europe, European Union and others called on the Azerbaijani authorities to release Jafarov and other human rights defenders who were arrested on trumped up charges. -06B-
Social
-
The International Coalition for Democratic Renewal (ICDR) and Forum 2000 Foundation expressed grave concerns over the escalating repression of civil society in Azerbaijan, issuing a joint statement. The groups highlighted the government's intensified crackdown on lawyers, journalists, activists, and human rights defenders, painting a stark picture of a country where dissenting voices are systematically silenced.
-
The Times Higher Education (THE), a leading international organization with an audience of 60 million and ranked among the world's top 100 networks in the field of education and skills assessment, has published a comprehensive article titled “Calls for the Release of Azerbaijani Scholar as Climate Summit Begins.” THE, known for its annual ranking of world universities, notes that while a major fossil fuel producer hosts a gathering of global leaders, it is cracking down on dissenters. Human rights groups are urging the Azerbaijani government, which is hosting the COP29 climate conference, to release a scholar detained after criticizing fossil fuel policies.
-
On Thursday, overcast weather is expected in the capital will be overcast, with light rain possible in the morning. There will be a moderate southeast wind. The temperature at night will be between +8 and +10°C, and during the day, it will range from +12 to +15°C. Humidity will be 65-75% both at night and during the day. Precipitation will occur in the eastern part of the country. There may be fog in some areas, with a moderate east wind.
-
On November 12, the summit of world leaders commenced at the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Baku. According to "Euronews," citing sources from the UN, the event is attended by around 100 heads of state.
Leave a review