RSE "166" decides to expand membership

The working group on political prisoners in Azerbaijan, known on the primary list of prisoners "166", has decided to expand its membership. The list of 166 political prisoners was announced  on October 18, 2016by the three founders of the group - human rights defenders Leyla Yunus, Elshan Hasanov and Ogtay Gyulalyev, and was supported by well-known figures of the civil society.

The meeting of the group  held on Saturday was  attended by OgtayGyulalyev, Elshan Hasanov, Avaz Zeynally, Hilal Mammedov, Rovshan Ahmadov, Aldaniz Guliyev,  and Mehman Aliyev. In absentia to meeting participants joined in exile Leyla Yunus and human rights activist from  the region of Geychay Taleh Hasmamedov.

The final decision on the enlargement of the membership of the group will be taken at the end of January. By this time will be  prepared proposals on expansion of political prisoners in the list, in light of the recent arrests of civil society activists and journalists.

"Due to the recent attacks by the government on  civil society, which is characterized by new arrests and judicial verdicts against the protest electorate, there is an objective need to  attract a wide range of people to the fight against political violence," said the coordinator of the Public Alliance "Azerbaijan without political prisoners"  Ogtay Gyulalyev.-0 -