US Ambassador to UN Issues Video Message Calling for Ilgar Mammadov`s Liberation

The US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power issued a New Year's video message Freedom for Ilgar Mammadov! It says that the Azerbaijani opposition leader Mammadov was sentenced to 7 years in prison after he criticized the tough government stance on demonstrations and social unrest.

The European Court of Human Rights found a violation of fundamental freedoms in the arrest of Mammadov. 

In the video Power quoted Mammadov's wife: "In our family, there is a tradition. On the eve of every New Year a New Year tree is decorated by our daughter with Ilgar. But our daughter has refused to decorate the New Year tree for several years because she does not want to do it without her father."

Next Power said: "We cannot tolerate unfair arrests of individuals for their beliefs, political views and expressions. The families of these prisoners should be aware that we do not forget them. We will raise our voice in protest until these people are released."

The leader of the movement REAL Ilgar Mammadov was arrested in connection with the social unrest in the town of Ismayilli and sentenced to 7 years in prison.

In May 2014 ECHR found a violation of Mammadov's rights in his arrest and political reasons for his prosecution. ECHR decided that Mammadov should be released. 

 However, the Appeals Court again upheld the verdict against him, and the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal on the verdict.

The Council of Europe Committee of Ministers eight times made decisions and resolutions condemning the non-fulfillment of the ECHR decision on the Mammadov case. At the end of 2016, the Committee of Ministers threatened Azerbaijan with sanctions if Mammadov is not released in accordance with the decision of ECHR.
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