Will political prisoners be released in the near future?

Baku/31.07.18/Turan: Co-coordinator of the public alliance "Azerbaijan without political prisoners" human rights defender Ogtay Gulaliyev on his Facebook page, citing an informed source, said that the issue of releasing political prisoners was the subject of discussions in the country's leadership with the participation of President Ilham Aliyev. Following the discussion, the head of state gave instructions to hold a broad amnesty. However, it is not known whether the amnesty will cover all political prisoners without exception?

Meanwhile, Turan agency received confirmation from credible sources about the preparation of measures and steps to release a large number of political prisoners. It is a question of judicial decisions or a big pardon, which can be confined to the Gurban Bayram celebrated on August 22.

In making this decision, Aliyev's meetings played a big role during his recent visit to France and his earlier talks in Brussels with the leadership of the European Union. According to the lists of the alliance "Azerbaijan without political prisoners", at present more than 160 people are arrested or convicted on politically motivated charges in Azerbaijan, Gulaliyev writes. According to the Civil Society Working Group on drawing up a single list of political prisoners Khadija Ismaylova, the number of political prisoners is 128.

At the same time, human rights defenders do not yet have access to the cases of those arrested for the July riots in Ganja and "espionage cases" in the Armed Forces. Because of the persecution of citizens in political affairs, the Azerbaijani authorities have always faced international pressure. Despite periodic assurances from Baku, that the problem will be resolved, these promises were not fulfilled.

Hopes for the release of the majority of political prisoners on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Azerbaijani People's Republic in May of this year also failed to materialize, despite the loud statements of the authorities.

Journalist Khadija Ismayilova does not believe in the reality of information about the pardon being prepared in the near future. The issue of political prisoners has already turned into a kind of red line in the relations of the international democratic community with Azerbaijan, and inflicts great harm on the authorities. It became obvious that if no radical steps are taken to release political prisoners, this will create serious discomfort in Baku's relations with the West.

Moreover, in PACE and other structures of the Council of Europe this issue was again updated.

On the other hand, in light of the latest developments in the South Caucasus, Azerbaijan needs real steps to show commitment to democratic values, no less than its neighbors. -06D-