19 August 2016, 09:13
European politicians condemn arrests of activists in Azerbaijan
The concern over the arrests of Natiq Jafarli, a co-founder of the Azerbaijani "ReAl" Party, and other activists has been expressed by Federica Mogherini, the current High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Alan Duncan, Minister of State at the Foreign Office, responsible for Europe and the Americas.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on August 12, Natiq Jafarli, the executive secretary and co-founder of the movement "ReAl", was detained and arrested for four months. On the same day, on August 12, member of ‘Nida’ movement Elgiz Gakhramanly was detained. In the evening of August 15, Elshan Gasymov, and Togrul Ismail, two activists of the movement "ReAl", were detained in Baku, and the court found both activists guilty of disobeying the police and arrested them for 7 days.
On July 18, President Ilham Aliev signed a resolution to direct to the Constitutional Court the draft of the Act on referendum on amendments to the Constitution. On July 25, the Constitutional Court of Azerbaijan recognized holding a referendum as eligible.
The draft amendments provide for the prolongation of the presidential term from 5 up to 7 years, the introduction of the provision on dissolution of the Parliament, and the establishment in Azerbaijan of the positions of Vice Presidents.
"The arrest of Natiq Jafarli took place six weeks before the referendum on amendments to the Constitution, which was opposed by members of the movement 'ReAl'. And Natiq Jafarli is a member of the movement 'ReAl'. His arrest, like arrests of other activists, involved in the trial, has become a message of extreme concern. At the upcoming referendum to be held on September 26, the population of Azerbaijan will have to vote on major changes in the political system of the country. The debates on the issue are to be pluralistic, with the involvement of expert opinions and such institutions as the Venice commission," announces the statement released by the Federica Mogherini's press service on August 18.
The arrests of the activists were also condemned by Alan Duncan, Minister of State at the Foreign Office, responsible for Europe and the Americas.
"On August 12, in Azerbaijan, Natiq Jafarli, the executive secretary of the movement 'ReAl', was arrested on questionable charges of illegal entrepreneurship and abuse of power. Moreover, in recent days, several other civil activists were arrested. I am concerned about the arrest of Natiq Jafarli and other activists. I urge Azerbaijan to fulfil its international obligations and to improve its indicators on human rights and freedoms," states Alan Duncan as quoted by the agency "Turan".
Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.
Author: Faik Medzhid Source: CK correspondent
