23:59, 12 February 2017

AI condemns extradition of Alexander Lapshin to Azerbaijan

In Azerbaijan, blogger Alexander Lapshin, prosecuted for visiting Nagorno-Karabakh, is under the threat of torture. This was reported by the international human rights organization "Amnesty International" (AI).

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on February 7, blogger Alexander Lapshin was extradited from Belarus to Azerbaijan and placed to a detention centre.

In Azerbaijan, the blogger is accused of visits to Nagorno-Karabakh and public statements in support of separatism. Alexander Lapshin is a citizen of Russia, Israel, and Ukraine.

According to the AI, the extradition and charges against Alexander Lapshin are the result of his criticism of the system of border control of Azerbaijan and social inequality in the country. The charge of "public appeals against the state" has no legal basis, since the criticism of the authorities voiced in the Alexander Lapshin's blog falls within the scope of the right to freedom of expression. This was reported by the statement posted on the AI's website.

It is noted that the AI is not aware of other cases of extradition requests taken by the Azerbaijani authorities against persons who visited Nagorno-Karabakh without their permission.

"In Azerbaijan, Alexander Lapshin is at risk of torture and other forms of ill-treatment, as well as an unfair trial," reports the AI.

The human rights organization has voiced the demand to close the criminal case against Alexander Lapshin, the "News.am" quotes today the AI's statement as reporting.

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