02:23, 3 June 2016

AI recognizes Mamedov and Ibragimov "prisoners of conscience"

Bairam Mamedov and Giyas Ibragimov. Photo: RFE/RL

The international human rights organization "Amnesty International" (AI) has recognized activists Bairam Mamedov and Giyas Ibragimov to be "prisoners of conscience"; they were arrested in Azerbaijan on charges of illegal drug dealing.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Giyas Ibragimov, a Facebook user, and Bairam Mamedov, an activist of the "Nida" Movement, were detained in Baku on May 10. The "Nida" has stated that they were detained in connection with the graffiti that appeared on the pedestal of the monument to Geidar Aliev in Baku.

Both young men said that they have given their confessions after severe beatings and threats of raping; they refused from their testimonies in court, the AI has noted.

Advocates saw traces of violence in their bodies; however, the courts have refused to release the activists under house arrest. Besides, Mamedov and Ibragimov were not allowed to see their parents.

The advocate Elchin Sadygov believes that traces of beatings on the young men's bodies were the reason for not letting them to meet their relatives.

In his turn, Faig Gurbanov, the head of the Human Rights Department of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), asserts that there was no torture, said the Azerbaijani service of the "Radio Liberty".

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

Author: Faik Medzhid

Source: CK correspondent