Laureates of Rafto Award demand from Azerbaijani authorities to drop charges against Ilgar Nasibov

The Azerbaijani authorities should drop charges against rights defender Ilgar Nasibov and return him and his wife Malakhat Nasibova the right to freedom of travel. This was demanded by the laureates of the international human rights award named Rafto.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on August 21 a group of unidentified persons attacked in the city of Nakhichevan the office of the Resource Centre for NGO Development and Democracy. During the attack, Ilgar Nasibov, an employee of the Centre, was severely beaten. Two weeks later, a criminal case was opened on the incident.

The above appeal of Rafto laureates was disseminated by the Norwegian human rights organization named “Rafto Foundation for Human Rights”.

In particular, they demand from Azerbaijani authorities to ensure Nasibov’s access to specialized medical care, including his unimpeded departure for medical treatment in Baku or abroad.

The appeal was signed by 12 laureates of Rafto Award, including the Iranian rights defender and 2003 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Shirin Ebadi.

Let us remind you that on November 1, 2009, the Rafto International Human Rights Award was granted to Malakhat Nasibova, Ilgar Nasibov’s wife.

The award was established in memory of Professor Torolfe Rafto, who died in 1986 and all his life was helping those who were persecuted and oppressed.