26 December 2012, 23:00
Azerbaijan: pardoning resolution releases 13 political prisoners
The today's list of pardoned persons in Azerbaijan includes 13 political prisoners, including two earlier recognized by the Amnesty International as "prisoners of conscience" – a human rights activist Vidadi Iskenderov and a member of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA) Shakhin Gasanli.
On December 26, Ilham Aliev signed a decree to pardon 87 people. According to the document 79 persons are released from further serving their terms; four others are exempt from corrective works; and four others – from the payment of fines.
The list of pardoned persons is published on the official website of the President of Azerbaijan. Apart from citizens of Azerbaijan, the list includes citizens of Turkey, Georgia, Bangladesh and Nigeria.
In total, 13 pardoned persons were on the list of Christopher Strasser, the PACE's Rapporteur on political prisoners in Azerbaijan.
Author: Faik Medjid Source: CK correspondent
