Azerbaijani activist Agalarov set free by Polish court during inquiry

For the period of investigation, a court in Poland has released Dashgyn Agalarov, an Azerbaijani activist, who has called the charges against him far-fetched and politically motivated, from custody. Fikret Guseinli, a "Turan" TV presenter, has noted the help of international human rights defenders in Agalarov's case.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in July 2014, Dashgyn Agalarov, a member of the National Council of Democratic Forces (NCDF) of Azerbaijan, was arrested in Georgia at the request of the Azerbaijani Prosecutor's Office and charged with tax evasion. Six months later, the activist was released and remained with his family in Tbilisi, but in May 2017, Agalarov was ordered to leave Georgia within a month. Then, Agalarov received political asylum in Norway. On January 6, he was detained at the Gdansk Airport.

Agalarov promised to cooperate with the Polish Prosecutor's Office and appear on the first call to the inquiry. According to his story, his release from custody was made possible thanks to the intervention of Norwegian and Polish human rights defenders, as well as of the Norwegian government and the Norway Embassy in Warsaw.

After moving to Norway, Agalarov began collaborating with the political emigrant TV channel "Turan" TV, broadcasting from France.

The interference of the international community will prevent Agalarov's extradition to Azerbaijan, Fikret Guseinli from the "Turan" TV has stated.

"According to my data the Norwegian Fund 'Human Rights House', the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, and other structures have joined Agalarov's defence," Mr Guseinli has added.