It is not worth talk about reforms in the country - Ali Karimli

Baku / 09.04.20 / Turan: The authorities are implementing a plan to completely eliminate the opposition represented by the National Council of Democratic Forces (NCDF) and the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, PFPA leader Ali Karimli said  in an interview with the Voice of America radio.

An integral part of this plan, Karimli called a custom-made trial and a sentence against the  NCDF member Tofig Yagublu, as well as the arrests of dozens of PFPA activists after the "Karabakh action" on July 15.

Karimli noted that since April 13, he has been deprived of access to the Internet in his apartment, and after 8 pm his cellular connection is also cut off.

After the easing of the quarantine regime, Karimli can leave the house and move around without restrictions, but they constantly feel surveillance.

Karimli went to court in connection with the restriction of his access to the Internet, but the claim was not considered. He also pointed out that for 15 years the authorities have not issued him a passport, despite the decision of the ECHR obliging them to do so.

“What can we hope for if the court so demonstratively condemned Tofig Yagublu on a frankly fabricated charge?” Karimli said.

Despite  difficult situation in the country, and new provocations of Armenia are possible, the authorities, instead of consolidating society, are engaged in a "witch hunt", Karimli said.

On the other hand, even the elimination of the institutionally opposition will not protect the authorities from popular protests and a vivid example of this is the events in Belarus, he said.

Karimli does not believe in the reforms declared by the authorities. “What reforms? Can't you see what's going on in the country? Dozens of people were arrested in connection with the patriotic Karabakh action. Such a well-known person in society, Tofig Yagublu, was convicted on a libelous charge. Lawyers are not allowed to the arrested, they are tortured,” Karimli said. — 06D-