Azerbaijan: ARTICLE 19 welcomes release of political prisoners
| Publisher | Article 19 |
| Publication Date | 17 March 2016 |
| Cite as | Article 19, Azerbaijan: ARTICLE 19 welcomes release of political prisoners, 17 March 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56eaeb8c4.html [accessed 26 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
ARTICLE 19 welcomes today's release of human rights defenders, journalists and activists in Azerbaijan and calls on the Azerbaijani government to immediately and unconditionally release all those who continue to be detained on politically-motivated charges.
This afternoon, a Presidential Pardon was issued, listing the release of a number of people, including the following:
Rashadat Akhundov, youth activist and member of N!DA
Mammad Azizov, youth activist and member of N!DA
Rashad Hasanov, activist and board member of N!DA Civic Movement
Parviz Hashimli, Editor of independent news website Moderator and reporter for independent newspaper Bizim Yol.
Rasul Jafarov, human rights campaigner and head of the Human Rights Club
Siraj Karimov, youth activist and brother of detained Musavat political activist, Faraj Karimov.
Taleh Khasmamedov, human rights defender
Anar Mammadli, Chairman of the Election Monitoring and Democracy Studies Centre
Hilal Mammadov, Editor-in-chief of the Talysh-language Tolishi Sedo newspaper and consultant for the Institute for Peace and Democracy.
Omar Mammadov, youth activist and member of N!DA
Nemat Panahli, leader of the (opposition) National Statehood party
Yadigar Sadiqov, Deputy chairman and adviser to the head of the (opposition) Musavat Party
Tofig Yagublu, Deputy Leader of the opposition Musavat Party and columnist for the Yeni Musavat newspaper
"Today's news will be of comfort to the family of friends of those released. However, it's worth remembering that these journalists, human rights defenders, and activists should never have been imprisoned in the first place and a number of others remain in prison on trumped-up and politically motivated charges" stated Katie Morris, Head of Europe and Central Asia at ARTICLE 19.
In addition to today's Presidential Pardon, this morning, the Baku Court of Appeal ordered the conditional release of journalist Rauf Mirkadirov, who was sentenced to six years imprisonment in December 2015 on charges of high treason. The Court of Appeal reviewed this sentence, ordering a five year suspended sentence and releasing him from the courtroom.
ARTICLE 19 welcomes the Presidential Pardon and the conditional release of Rauf Mirkadirov. However, we are concerned that many more innocent people remain behind bars, including Khadija Ismayilova, an investigative journalist, Intigam Aliyev, a human rights lawyer and Ilgar Mammadov, an opposition politician, among others.
We call upon the Azerbaijani authorities to drop all charges against Mirkadirov and to immediately and unconditionally release all human rights defenders, journalists, activists, and opposition figures who remain imprisoned on politically-motivated charges.
