AI demands to release Ilgar Mamedov

Azerbaijani authorities must comply with international demands and immediate release the leader of the ReAl Ilgar Mamedov, who had been convicted on falsified charges, said the human rights organization "Amnesty International" (AI).

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Ilgar Mamedov and Tofig Yagublu, Deputy Chairman of the "Musavat" Party, were sentenced to seven and five years of imprisonment respectively on charges of organizing riots in the city of Ismayilli on January 23-24, 2013. Both Mamedov and Yagublu deny their guilt. The AI recognized them to be "prisoners of conscience".

In May 2014, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) found a violation of Mamedov's rights and ordered the Azerbaijani authorities to pay him compensation in the amount of 22,000 euros. The Azerbaijani party appealed against the decision, but on October 13, 2014, a panel of five judges of the ECtHR refused to accept that appeal to consideration; thus, making the ECtHR's judgment final, said the lawyer Fuad Agaev, who represented Mamedov's interests.

The ECtHR then ruled that Mamedov was arrested without any proofs; and the true purpose of his detention was the intention to silence him and punish him for criticizing the government, the AI's website reports.

The lawyer Fuad Agaev assets that Mamedov is constantly under pressure in prison, forcing him to write a petition for clemency to President Ilham Aliev, but Mamedov categorically refuses to do it, the "Contact.az" reports, referring to the human rights organization.

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