Rasul Jafarov pays his debt

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-