Activists criticize court ruling in case of Azerbaijani oppositionist

Politicians and human rights defenders in Azerbaijan have condemned the conviction of Ali Aliev, the leader of the "Citizens and Development" Party, on charges of defamation. They treat the case as a "political order" and demanded the release of the oppositionist.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the Ali Aliev was brought to trial on charges of libel. On January 13, the court sentenced him to five months in prison.

Bakhtiyar Gadjiev, the head of the Institute for Public Policy, believes that Aliev was arrested "on political order."

The verdict to Aliev was condemned by the NGO "Defence Line"; Rufat Safarov, its leader, has stressed that Aliev is known as a sharp critic of the authorities.

The Public Council of Azerbaijani Talyshes (PCAT) has also condemned Aliev's arrest, treating it as "another attack on the freedoms of thought and speech."

"The court imprisoned him for five months under the pretext of slandering militaries. But this is just a pretext. It is absurd to arrest a party leader for his words in the country where billions are embezzled, and people are killed under torture," Ali Kerimli, the leader of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), has stated.