Azerbaijani authorities increase pressure on activists

Over 2018, at least 128 Azerbaijani oppositionists were arrested for political reasons. Authorities imitate liberalization, refusing to criminally prosecute activists in favour of arbitrary arrests, local rights defenders have emphasized.

The maximum term of administrative arrest is three months.

"Administrative arrests as a form of politically motivated persecutions are used in Azerbaijan to put pressure on activists," the Centre for Election Monitoring and Democracy Teaching (CEMDT) has stated.

Most often, activists are arrested under the articles on disorderly conduct (petty hooliganism), violation of rules for holding rallies, and disobeying policemen's lawful demands. In 2013, sanctions under these articles were tightened after protests in Baku.

Also since 2016, activists are arrested for participation in sanctioned actions or on the eve of these actions, Anar Mamedli, the head of the CEMDT, has added.

The journalists who cover protests are also arrested. Thus, Nurlan Gakhramanov, an employee of the Internet-based TV "Channel-13", was arrested for 30 days for filming a rally in defence of the blogger, Mekhman Guseinov.

"Administrative arrests are used as a repressive measure to keep citizens away from political activeness," said Khalid Agaliev, a lawyer.