In Azerbaijan, former investigator claims receiving threats from law enforcers

Rufat Safarov, a former investigator of the Prosecutor's Office of Azerbaijan, reported receiving threats with the demand to stop his opposition activities. Threats of violence were also received by his mother Takhira Takhirgyzy.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on September 8, 2016, Rufat Safarov, a former investigator of the Zerdab District Prosecutor's Office, was sentenced to 9 years of imprisonment on the charge of receiving of a bribe repeatedly. Rufat Safarov himself claimed the political nature of his case. In March 2019, he was pardoned.

The mother of the former investigator reported on Facebook she got threats that her son would be arrested again.

Rufat Safarov reported that he was detained at a rally held by the opposition on October 19.

According to Rufat Safarov, while he was under arrest, a law enforcer came to him and requested him to testify against the National Council of Democratic Forces (NCDF), the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA) and its leader Ali Kerimli. Rufat Safarov believes that the "authorities are annoyed" by his meetings with opposition politicians.

Rufat Safarov says he intends to continue his activities.

Gezyal Bairamly, the deputy chair of the PFPA, treats the threats received by Rufat Safarov as real. "The regime wants to break down intrepid people. Rufat ... quitted his career and his comfortable life and opposed injustice," Gezyal Bairamly noted.