Activist extradited from Germany detained in Azerbaijan

Samir Ashurov, an Azerbaijani activist, extradited from Germany on March 29, is suspected of attacking a man with a knife. Ashurov has stated falsification of the criminal case, his wife asserts.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Ashurov was one of the 38 Azerbaijani citizens returned from Germany as part of the readmission of persons living without permits. He feared that he might be persecuted in Azerbaijan for his political activities.

"Samir said that a criminal case was being falsified against him about allegedly stabbing someone ... He didn't even know the person whom he had allegedly stabbed," Nurana Ashurova, his wife, has stated.

According to her story, her husband faces imprisonment for a term of three to eight years.

Elshad Gadjiev, the head of the press service of the division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), has informed that on April 19, "Samir Ashurov, a Baku resident, on the basis of a personal conflict, stabbed a resident of the city of Sheki in the stomach."

Zafar Akhmedov, a member of the NGO "Defence Line", has expressed his concern for Ashurov's fate.

"The fate of those readmitted from Germany causes concern among human rights defenders. Ashurov became the fifth arrested person in the last five months ... Those who continued their political activities in Germany, and criticized Azerbaijani authorities are being arrested," Mr Akhmedov has added.

Let us remind you that Djafar Mirzoev, an activist readmitted to Azerbaijan from Germany on November 24, was arrested on January 28 on charges of large-scale drug dealing. Mirzoev is being persecuted for political reasons, his brother is sure.