Freedom House demands to stop pressure on Azerbaijani lawyers

The international human rights organization Freedom House has called on Azerbaijani authorities to stop "the campaign of threats and insinuations" against the lawyers Elchin Sadygov and Fariz Namazly, who are defending political prisoners.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Elchin Sadygov complained earlier about receiving  policeman's threats in the context of his advocacy of the journalist Fikret Faramazoglu, and, according to his story, his brother was questioned by the police about their family life. With regard to Fariz Namazly, known as an advocate of the deputy chairs of the movement "Muslim Unity" Elchin Gasymov and Abbas Guseinov, journalist Khadija Ismayilova and activist of the "Nida" movement Elgiz Gakhramanov, the police have launched an inquiry into the complaint of some Azerbaijani about the lawyer's alleged attack on her.

"The government of Azerbaijan should end its campaign of innuendo and threats against Elchin Sadygov and Fariz Namazly, two of the few lawyers in the country who dare to represent political prisoners and bring attention to government wrongdoings," said Robert Herman, vice president for international programs, whose November 3 statement is posted on the Freedom House's website.

Mr Herman has also urged the government to "stop pressure on lawyers for their professional activities."

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