AI recognizes Azerbaijani human rights defender Intigam Aliev "prisoner of conscience"

The international human rights organization "Amnesty International" (AI) has recognized Intigam Aliev, the head of the Legal Education Society, who was arrested in Azerbaijan, a "prisoner of conscience" and stated that he is being prosecuted for defending human rights. The AI has called on to immediately release Intigam Aliev.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on August 8, Intigam Aliev, the head of the Legal Education Society (LES), was summoned to the Investigating Department of Grave Crimes of the General Prosecutor's Office of Azerbaijan as a witness in a criminal case against a number of NGOs. On the same day, he was detained as a suspect. The Nasimi District Court of Baku arrested Intigam Aliev for a period of three months.

Intigam Aliev was charged under Articles "evasion of taxes or contributions for compulsory public social insurance in a significant amount", "abuse of power, resulting in serious consequences", and "illegal entrepreneurship with income in a large amount".

The statement published on the AI's website has noted that Intigam Aliev is being prosecuted for his human rights activities.

In its turn, Anar Gasymly, an advocate of the human rights defender, has reported that he had filed an appeal against the Intigam Aliev's arrest, which is to be considered on the next days.

It should be noted that in Azerbaijan, in recent weeks, Intigam Aliev became the third human rights defender recognized by the AI as a "prisoner of conscience" after Leila Yunus and Rasul Jafarov.