15 January 2018, 06:46
EU condemns verdict to Afghan Mukhtarly
The European External Action Service (EEAS) has demanded to investigate the kidnapping and prosecution of Azerbaijani journalist Afghan Mukhtarly.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on January 12, in Azerbaijan, the court sentenced Afghan Mukhtarly to six years of imprisonment on the charge of illegal crossing of the border, smuggling and rendering resistance to a public official with use of violence.
The verdict to journalist Afghan Mukhtarly poses serious questions as regards the exercise of fundamental human rights, including the freedom of expression and media, announces the statement of the spokesperson for the European Union External Action Service, published on the website of the EEAS on January 14.
The statement notes that the "alleged kidnapping", as well as the arrest and prosecution of Afghan Mukhtarly, continues to demand thorough and transparent investigation. Besides, Brussels has urged the Azerbaijani authorities to consider "all cases of incarceration related to the exercise of fundamental human rights" and to release all prisoners who are deprived of liberty in violation of the above rights.
Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.
