ECtHR's Grand Chamber dismisses appeal of Azerbaijani Government on Mamedov's case

The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has refused to take up the appeal of the Government of Azerbaijan filed against the ECtHR's decision to recognize the violation of the rights of Ilgar Mamedov, the leader of the civil movement "Republican Alternative" (ReAl), who was sentenced in the case of the riots in Ismailly. Thorbjørn Jagland, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, has called on the Azerbaijani authorities to release Ilgar Mamedov.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Ilgar Mamedov was  accused of organizing mass riots on January 23-24, 2013, in the city of Ismailly. Despite the criticism from the international community and human rights organizations, the activist was sentenced to seven years in prison.

In February 2013, Ilgar Mamedov filed a complaint to the ECtHR. On May 22, the ECtHR pronounced its decision to recognize the violation of the rights of Ilgar Mamedov under three Articles of the European Convention on Human Rights. The Strasbourg Court has obliged the Azerbaijani authorities to pay to Ilgar Mamedov the compensation in the amount of 22,000 euros.

On August 8, the Government of Azerbaijan filed to the Grand Chamber of the ECtHR an appeal against the decision, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told by Fuad Agaev, an advocate of Ilgar Mamedov.

However, on October 13, a panel of five judges of the ECtHR refused to accept for consideration the appeal filed by the Government of Azerbaijan. Thus, the ECtHR's decision on the Ilgar Mamedov' case is final, and it is to be fulfilled within three months, the advocate of Ilgar Mamedov has noted.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.