18:02, 14 August 2014

Azerbaijani GPO bans rights defender Gyunai Ismailova to leave country without permit

Building of the Azerbaijani Prosecutor's Office. Photo http://minval.az/news/56273

On Thursday, Gyunai Ismailova, a lawyer of the Institute of Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS), was interrogated by investigators from the Azerbaijani Prosecutor's Office as a witness in connection with a criminal case against a number of local and foreign NGOs. Following the results of interrogation, Gyunai Ismailova was warned of the need to inform the investigators about her upcoming trips abroad and not to leave the country without the permission of the Prosecutor's Office. The lawyer believes the restriction is unlawful.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on August 8, law enforcers came with a search warrant to the office of the IRFS in Baku. On August 11, the office of the organization was sealed.

It should be noted that Gyunai Ismailova represented the interests of journalists and media in the courts and took part in various human rights campaigns, including actions in protection of the rights of political prisoners.

Today, the Prosecutor's Office has also summoned Shargiya Guseinova, an owner of the premises where the IRFS office is located, for interrogation as a witness.

Meanwhile, still no information about the fate of IRFS Director Emin Guseinov is available.

Author: Faik Medzhid

Source: CK correspondent