Ilgar Mamedov returns home

Ilgar Mamedov, the leader of the Republican Alternative (ReAl) Party, who was conditionally released from prison, is back at home and intends to continue his oppositional political activities.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on August 13, the appellate instance decided to replace Mamedov's remaining term in prison for conditional punishment. However, the court refused to acquit him, said his advocate; and the defence intends to file a cassation appeal to the country's Supreme Court.

Mamedov was not released in the courtroom; he was convoyed from the city of Sheki (400 km north-west of Baku) to the capital of Azerbaijan by employees of the Penitentiary Service. Near the house, where Mamedov lives, about a hundred of his supporters gathered and enthusiastically welcomed the politician, chanting: "Ilgar bek, Ilgar bek!" the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

Ilgar Mamedov has noted that he owes his liberation to "Azerbaijani Republicans and all our international supporters."

He stated that "with even greater force and more confidently he will continue his political activities for the reign of republican values."

International structures have welcomed Mamedov's liberation, and called on Azerbaijani authorities to release all other "unreasonably arrested activists."

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on August 13, 2018 at 08:13 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.