17:41, 25 February 2020

Ali Kerimli appeals against refusal to investigate torture after his detention in Baku

The detention of Ali Kerimli. Photo by Aziz Karimov for the "Caucasian Knot"

The General Prosecutor's Office (GPO) of Azerbaijan has found no grounds for initiating a criminal case on the statement of Ali Kerimli, the leader of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), about the torture he had suffered after being detained at a protest rally in Baku. Mr Kerimli has demanded to oblige the GPO to conduct an inquiry.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on October 19, 2019, law enforcers dispersed an oppositional rally in Baku. With the use of force, they detained Ali Kerimli and other opposition politicians. Kerimli said that after his arrest he was beaten up several times.

Tofig Yagublu, a member of the coordinating centre of the National Council of Democratic Forces (NCDF), also complained of beating after detention. The actions of the police and the authorities of Azerbaijan were criticized by the Council of Europe, the PACE (Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe) and the US Embassy.

"The GPO failed to conduct an objective inquiry into my complaint, aiming to shelter those who tortured me," Mr Kerimli has stated.

According to his story, he sent his first application to the GPO back on October 24, 2019.

In October 2019, Kerimli said that after detention, he was handcuffed him in a bus and beaten up twice, demanding from him to stop his "struggle against Azerbaijani authorities."

Having received no answer to his complaint, on December 27, 2019, Kerimli again addressed the GPO. However, as he has added, he never received any resolution.

Namizad Safarov, the coordinator of the Centre against Repression and Torture, is sceptical about Kerimli's prospects to achieve recognition of his rights violation and the punishment of those responsible.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on February 25, 2019 at 10:25 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Author: Faik Medjid

Source: CK correspondent