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]]>A doctor at a Baku clinic believes he was fired for political reasons. Nearby the “Istanbul” clinic, the co-founder of the independent online TV channel Toplum TV, Alesker Mammadli, was detained. According to Aydin Aliev, he was retaliated against for releasing video footage of Mammadli’s arrest from surveillance cameras. However, the clinic owner claims that the doctor left the job voluntarily.
On March 12th, renowned radiologist Aydin Aliyev, a relative of the Toplum TV co-founder, announced on his Facebook page that he had been fired.
“Dear friends! Are they afraid, or have they been threatened? I do not know. But today, the management of the “Istanbul” clinic dismissed me. They told me not to come to work starting tomorrow. But what about the rule of law? Can someone be fired so easily? Where are the unions? What about workers’ rights? And what about the employment contract?” he wrote.
According to the doctor, he was dismissed because he shared footage of Alasgar Mammadli’s detention.
Alasgar Mamedli was detained on March 8th in front of the Istanbul clinic in Baku, where he had gone for an examination due to suspected cancer. Afterward, his apartment was searched, and authorities announced they found €7,200. The media expert was then arrested for four months pending a preliminary investigation on charges of smuggling in conspiracy with a group of people.
After Aydin Aliyev shared the video, pro-government media began targeting both him and the clinic’s management.
Aydin Aliyev reported that even before this incident, his superiors had repeatedly told him he was causing problems by posting about Alasgar Mammadli on social media.
“I said he [Alasgar Mammadli] is my relative. A person who doesn’t protect his own family will betray his country and people one day. On March 12th, we spoke again, and he [the clinic’s manager] stated that we could no longer work together, our paths diverged, and that I should not come to work starting the next day. I’ve never heard of an employee in a normal country being told not to come to work starting tomorrow. Of course, it will be very difficult for me without work; I’ve already started looking for a new job,” he articulated.
Meanwhile, Aziz Guliyev, the owner of the “Istanbul” clinic, asserted to Abzas Media that doctor Aydin Aliyev was not fired. According to him, Aydin Aliyev left of his own accord:
“Doctor Aydin is a good doctor. I don’t think badly of him. He wasn’t fired; he chose to leave by himself. Currently, his wife Mrs. Gulshan continues working at the clinic.”
Human rights advocate Mirvari Gahramanly says that labor relations in the country are governed by the Labor Code, and according to the law, no one can be fired due to the political activities of a close relative:
“This is called discrimination. When such cases occur, dismissals are typically documented under Section C of Article 70 of the Labor Code, meaning ‘he is not fulfilling his duties.’ There are also other standard articles. I am very concerned that they told him verbally not to come to work, and then, perhaps, they issued a dismissal, for example, for missed hours. I think the doctor should appeal to the court, the ombudsman, and the labor inspection to protect his rights,” Mirvari Gahramanly stated.
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]]>The post Georgia Urges Reopening of Azerbaijani Borders for Tourism Boost appeared first on MEYDAN.TV.
]]>Emphasizing the significance of open borders for tourism development, the minister believes that if Azerbaijan were to reopen its land borders with Georgia, it would contribute to an increase in arrivals from neighboring countries.
On March 11, Prime Minister Ali Asadov extended Azerbaijan’s special quarantine regime until July 1, 2024, at 06:00, citing the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Azerbaijan initially closed its land borders in the spring of 2020 in response to the pandemic.
Darchiashvili conveyed to Georgia’s “First Channel” that the full opening of borders would be welcomed to further foster tourism development. He highlighted the historical influx of visitors from Azerbaijan, Georgia’s strategic partner, and expressed a desire for this trend to continue.
Regarding Azerbaijan’s specific arguments for keeping the borders closed, Darchiashvili acknowledged the initial reason being the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent regional security concerns. He expressed a lack of information on Azerbaijan’s current stance but conveyed Georgia’s openness to a decision to reopen borders for the convenience of Azerbaijani citizens visiting Georgia.
Georgia’s Deputy Minister of Economy, Mariam Kvrivishvili, previously disclosed that the closure of the land border with Azerbaijan resulted in a loss of over 1.5 million tourists. This setback equated to approximately $400 million, hindering Georgia’s return to pre-pandemic tourism levels.
According to the National Statistical Service of Georgia, foreign visits to the country reached 7.1 million in 2023, a 30.3% increase from 2022. Russia led with 1.2 million visitors (23.2% of the total), followed by Turkey (21.4%) and Armenia (13.5%). Georgia garnered over $4 billion in tourism revenue in 2023.
Contrastingly, the State Border Service of Azerbaijan reported 2,085.8 thousand tourists from 187 countries in 2023, marking a 30.2% increase from the previous year. Notably, 30% of visitors came from Russia, 18.1% from Turkey, and 5% from Georgia. The total number of tourists arriving in Georgia surpassed those in Azerbaijan and Armenia by 1.6 times in 2023.
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]]>The post “Lavangi is our best work”: Traditional Talysh cuisine in Azerbaijan appeared first on MEYDAN.TV.
]]>Traditions passed from mother to daughter, from mother-in-law to daughter-in-law. Lavangi can be prepared in any taste: chicken, fish, and eggplant.
Irada Melikova introduces her young daughter-in-law Leyla to the Talysh cuisine and teaches her how to cook chicken and fish lavangi. She learned this recipe from her mother.
And so, passing through the female line, from mother to daughter, from mother-in-law to daughter-in-law, the lavangi recipe has reached us through the centuries.
Lavangi is the hallmark of the South Azerbaijani cuisine. It is a traditional Talysh dish (Talysh – an ethnic group in Azerbaijan), but all Azerbaijanis love it. More precisely, it is a stuffing for chicken, fish, or eggplant, made from finely grated onions, ground walnuts, turshu (an Eastern spice made from cherry plum), and other spices. It is considered one of the signature dishes of Azerbaijani feasts. It is an economical but hearty dish capable of feeding a large family and many guests, which is why Azerbaijani housewives love it.
“We prepare it for weddings, birthdays, holidays,” says Irada. “We cook it when dear guests come. Now it is even ordered for weddings and memorial services. Some women make a living from this.”
The word “lava” in the Talysh language means “belly.” But today the word “lavangi” is used to mean “stuffing.”
Mentions of lavangi can be found in some historical sources. For example, it is reported that the ruler of the Safavids, Shah Ismail I (1501-1524), while in the village of Archane in Astara, ate Talysh pilaf with lavangi. Sources also tell that when the great-grandfather of the shah, Sheikh Zahid Gilani, lived in the village of Khilkararan in Lenkoran, his favorite dish was Talysh “lavangi-pilaf.”
Since Lankaran and Astara (regions with a compact Talysh population) are located on the shore of the Caspian Sea, fish dishes dominate in Talysh cuisine: fish syrdag, fried and salted fish, fish kyu-kyu, and, of course, fish lavangi.
Despite the abundance of fish in the Talysh diet, the most popular dishes in Lankaran with chicken are chicken lavangi and murkutush (sour chicken). Of all types of lavangi, chicken lavangi is the most commonly prepared. It can be said that Talysh weddings, memorial services, and holidays are incomplete without chicken lavangi.
Among vegetable dishes, eggplant lavangi, syrdag, and kyu-kyu from eggplant can be mentioned.
The preparation of this dish begins with removing the internal organs from the chicken, salting and peppering it to taste, and coating it with a special sour paste made from cherry plum (called “turshu”). It is preferable for the chicken to “stand” in this state in the refrigerator for a day.
Separately, the “lavangi,” or stuffing, is prepared. It includes walnuts, red onions, and the same cherry plum paste, turshu. Nuts and onions are ground in a meat grinder. After that, the onions must be squeezed.
When the stuffing is ready, it is used to fill the chicken. To prevent it from falling out, the chicken is either sewn with threads or the legs are “interwoven” in a special way.
Ideally, lavangi is cooked in a tandoor, but if that is not possible, an oven can do the work.
It is mainly prepared from kutum. First of all, the fish needs to be cleaned of scales and gutted. Then it is coated inside and outside with salt, pepper, and turshu and left in the refrigerator overnight.
After filling the fish with stuffing, it is baked in a tandoor or oven. Fish lavangi is usually served with lemon.
To make this dish delicious, eggplants are boiled and pressed with a stone to remove the bitter “juice.” After that, they are salted, peppered, coated with turshu, filled with lavangi, placed on a pan, and fried on both sides. Yogurt with garlic is served as a sauce for eggplant lavangi.
Traditionally, lavangi was cooked in a tandoor, but now an oven is often used. The cooking process is quite complex and lengthy, lasting about 4 hours. With these efforts, women transform simple and inexpensive ingredients into nutritious and delicious dishes. Lavangi is prepared only by women, and the recipe is passed down from generation to generation along the female line
With the support of MediaSet.
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]]>The post Police conduct search operation at Toplum TV office; there are detainees appeared first on MEYDAN.TV.
]]>The offices of Toplum TV, an independent media organization, were subjects of the search. Employees took to social media to relay the information, asserting that the police initiated a search at the media organization’s office and subsequently transported the website’s staff away in a police car.
Efforts to confirm this information with Toplum TV’s management by Meydan TV proved unsuccessful, as none of them could be reached.
An employee at the site mentioned that the police had cordoned off the area where the media is situated.
Additional information obtained by Meydan TV suggested that the police also surrounded the office of the III Republican Platform. The agency responsible for the search remains unclear; however, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) addressed the situation in response to social media reports concerning the search on Toplum TV.
Elshad Hajiyev, the head of the MIA press service, stated that police conducted search operations based on information received about certain activities at the office located in the Narimanov district of the capital.
Hajiyev assured that more details would be provided as the situation unfolds. Toplum TV’s editor-in-chief, Khadija Ismayil, informed “BBC Azerbaijan” that some employees were taken away in a police car, expressing concern for their well-being. Ismayil believes that the searches are attempts to stifle the media, emphasizing that no legal basis for a criminal case has been provided.
Contacting individuals associated with the III Republican Platform, including Akif Gurbanov, Ruslan Izzetli, and Araz Aliyev, became impossible, leading to speculations about their detention by the police. Social media posts indicate that searches were completed at Toplum TV’s office, and its entrance has been sealed.
Reports circulated that Akif Gurbanov, the speaker of the III Republican Platform, was taken from the organization’s office to the police. Similar actions were taken with Ruslan Izzateli and Araz Aliyev after they were removed from the office.
Lawyer Shahla Humbatova faced obstacles in entering the apartment where the search was conducted, as she reported on her Facebook account. The post mentioned the ongoing search at Akif Gurbanov’s residence.
Akif Gurbanov, the speaker of the III Republican Platform, was reported to be detained by the police. Current information indicates that his residence is undergoing a search, with Shahla Humbatova also present during the operation, as reported on the III Republican Platform’s “Facebook” page.
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]]>The post Avaz Zeynalli & Elnur Shukurov sentenced as trial concludes appeared first on MEYDAN.TV.
]]>The trial of the head of “Xural TV” online media, Avaz Zeynalli, and the administrator of the “Seda TV” YouTube channel, Elnur Shukurov, has concluded.
On 26 February, the verdict was announced in the Baku Heavy Crimes Court. Zeynalli was sentenced to nine and Shukurov to four years in prison.
The verdict was issued by a panel of judges consisting of Ali Mammadov, Sabina Mammadzade, and Azad Majidov.
According to the verdict, Avaz Zeynalli and Elnur Shukurov were found guilty of bribery and influencing the decisions of officials. Additionally, it was decided to confiscate 16,000 AZN found during the search of the residence of the head of “Xural TV” after his arrest.
Before the verdict was read, Avaz Zeynalli made his final statement in court. He began his final statement on 23 February, stating that his imprisonment was due to journalistic activities, and the criminal case against him was an attack on freedom of speech.
In his final statement on 26 February, he mentioned that he and those testifying against him were unfamiliar to each other, questioning how they could testify against him. He stated that out of the 38 witnesses, he did not recognize 31 of them.
Avaz Zeynalli recalled the accusation of unlawfully influencing the decisions of executive officials, calling it absurd.
Referring to the accusation against him regarding receiving a bribe of 20,000 AZN from the former head of “Baku Steel Company,” Rasim Mammadov, who has been in prison for over three years, Zeynalli stated that it was completely false.
During the trial, Judge Ali Mammadov repeatedly warned Avez Zeynalli not to prolong his final statement and to keep it brief.
After approximately ten minutes of deliberation, the judges announced the verdict.
Avaz Zeynalli has been in prison since 9 September 2022, while Elnur Shukurov has been in prison since 13 September 2022. Both claim innocence and state that they have not testified against each other.
Both Avaz Zeynalli and Elnur Shukurov’s lawyers will file an appeal against the verdict.
The prosecutor had requested a sentence of ten years for Avaz Zeynalli and five years for Elnur Shukurov.
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]]>The post How Azerbaijan violates the rights of the political imprisoned appeared first on MEYDAN.TV.
]]>Azerbaijani media often write about the rough treatment that politicians, journalists, religious activists and trade union members face during detention. They aren’t allowed to contact lawyers now inform relatives they’ve been detained. Applying physical and psychological pressure, the police try to force them to confess to acts they did not commit. And sometimes the police, not even considering it necessary to prove these crimes, immediately transfer the case to the court, and the judge, in turn, without understanding the case, issues a decision on detention.
Former political prisoners, as well as relatives and friends of those currently in detention, told Meydan TV that the violations of rights are not limited to this, and even after the arrest, they are also treated differently than other prisoners in the pretrial detention center.
“They hit me on my head and neck.”
Araz Aliyev
Araz Aliyev, a member of the NIDA civil movement and co-founder of the political platform “Third Republic”, sentenced to 25 days of administrative arrest in December 2023, says that during his detention he faced physical pressure from the police in civilian clothes. Accusing Aliyev of the fact that he, allegedly, fought on the street and did not obey the police, they drew up a protocol under articles 510 (minor hooliganism) and 535.1 (disobedience to the legal demand of a police officer) of the Code of Administrative Offenses.
Araz Aliyev:
“Unfortunately, serious physical violence, insults, and humiliating treatment are currently Azerbaijani realities. I happened to encounter them. People in civilian clothes who did not introduce themselves kidnapped me, showering insults and using violence against me. I was hit in the stomach and legs. Later, the same and even more harsh treatment continued during my illegal interrogation in the 24th police department. They didn’t allow me to use the restroom and they hit me on my head and neck. The interrogation lasted 4-5 hours and during all this time neither my lawyer nor family members were informed, and emotional and psychological pressure methods were used against me.
Despite the fact that I did not commit any offenses, I was required to sign a confession. And even though I didn’t do this, they took me to court, and I still didn’t tell my lawyer or my family. In court, the state defender appointed to me did not try to defend me at all, but on the contrary, he showed me to be guilty. The court did not accept my personal petitions, the questions I asked false witnesses remained unanswered, and the judge frankly ignored the points raised by me. As a result, I received 25 days of arrest on the basis of false statements by police officers.
Another member of the NIDA civil movement, Elgiz Gahraman, who was sentenced to 5.5 years of imprisonment in 2016 on charges of drug trafficking, also recalls that he faced similar lawlessness and inhumane treatment during his arrest. And although he was incriminated with drug trafficking, during the interrogation he was asked about his political activities.
Elgiz Gahraman:
“After the arrest, they took me to the back seat of the car, keeping my head down, so I couldn’t see where we were going. Only when I got there, I found out that I had been taken to the Main Directorate for Combating Organized Crime of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. During the week that they kept me there, none of my needs were satisfied. Clean clothes, the opportunity to contact my family – I did not receive any of this. I asked them to least let me talk to my relatives, or bring me clean clothes, or buy them for me from the 66 Manat that I had on me at the time of detention. I was told I could file a written appeal on this matter. It was summer, and they kept me in the same clothes for a week. Moreover, as moral and psychological pressure, they did not allow me to take a shower in the basement of the office, I spent a week in the same clothes, sweaty, unshaven, they did not give me a toothbrush or hygiene products, although I asked for them.
According to the activist, when he was in the Department of Combating Organized Crime, he was required to sign a confession that he had purchased 3.315 grams of heroin “discovered” on him for the purpose of resale. And since he refused to do it, he was kept handcuffed to the operator’s driver for hours.
Elgiz Gahraman:
“When I wanted to tell my family about what happened, they said that I will do it only when they themselves wish. When I needed a lawyer, they appointed me a public defender, which I refused. He said that I want my lawyer, and I wouldn’t sign anything without him. To this, the head of the department , Kerim Alimardanov , who later came under US sanctions for torturing believers and political activists in 2015 and 2016, replied: “You seem to have watched too many American film. Your lawyer will be who we tell you he will be.” And when I refused to sign the confession, I was beaten and questioned. While I was there, I was beaten daily, kept in handcuffs, and subjected to inhumane treatment. I was interrogated by an operative named Shahlar Jafarov. During the interrogation, I was handcuffed to his driver. I was forced to go to the toilet with this driver. And in such a position I spent the days from 10 in the morning until 6 in the evening in Shahlar Jafarov’s office.”
According to Elgiz Gahraman, when he was brought to the court to choose a measure of restraint, there were traces of torture on his body. He showed these traces to the judge, but the judge ignored them, as well as his refusal of his state-appointed defense.
One of the most frequent violations during the arrest of critics of the government is that neither family members nor lawyers are told where this person is being held and what they aer accused of. Lawyer Zibeyda Sadigova says that she often encounters this, especially when it comes to political activists. According to Sadigova, hiding the location of her clients violates the right to protection, and it is at this stage that the foundation for subsequent violations is laid.
“A person is arrested, we are sure of it, the family is looking for them, we call 102, we call the Office of the Ombudsman, and for a long time we cannot get information about where this person is kept. Unfortunately, we manage to get this information only 1, 2 or 3 days later. By that time, all investigative actions that decide their fate have already been carried out. For example, they get confessions from them, force them to sign some documents, and subsequently we cannot prove in court that these confessions were obtained in violation of the right to defense, and this creates great difficulties for us.
Another problem is that during this time a public defender has already been appointed to the person and all investigative actions are conducted with the participation of this “criminal” lawyer. And when the defendant’s own lawyer is connected, all the main documents, on which their fate depends, have already been signed. We are forced to file complaints about the violation of the right to protection, the use of psychological and physical violence. This is mainly happening in the case of politically motivated arrests.
The number of violations committed during the detention of employees of the online publication Abzas Media, known for its investigations and criticism, is noteworthy. 6 employees of the publication were arrested in November 2023 on charges of smuggling. Zibeyda Sadigova, who is the lawyer of the director of this publication Ulvi Hasanli, says that there are no essential grounds to keep her client and other participants in this case in custody during the investigation. According to Sadigova, “smuggling” is not considered a particularly dangerous act and does not require isolation from society.
Zibeyda Sadigova:
“Money was found in Ulvi’s office. Although Ulvi stated that this money does not belong to him, a criminal case was immediately initiated against him and other employees of Abzas Media on charges of smuggling. This is where the violations begin, since no evidence was presented to the court about the source of these funds, whether they belong to Ulvi, or whether they were really smuggled into the country. When I met with Ulvi, he said that when he was detained, they used force on him, hit him, and his eye was bruised. After the initial measures and the discovery of the body without any evidence and additional investigation, a criminal case was initiated against Ulvi and an appeal was filed to the court for his detention.
The biggest problem in the case of Ulvi Hasanli and other employees of Abzas Media is that the court, without considering any evidence that these people really brought contraband currency into the country, chose a preventive measure in the form of a long sentence. At the moment, all of them are in the Baku pretrial detention center. We have repeatedly complained, petitioned to transfer them under house arrest, but the court has not yet considered any of our petitions. If we had a normal legal system, if the legislation worked, these journalists would not be behind bars now. Even if a criminal case was opened against them, they still should not be in custody. There are alternative measures of prevention. But the court rejected not only our petitions, which concern measures of restraint, but also all petitions in general.
After the arrest of Abzas Media employees, the pro-government mass media began to spread information obtained, presumably, from the investigation. It was asserted that the arrested journalists are accused of conducting anti-Azerbaijani campaigns and publishing baseless materials in cooperation with donor organizations funded by the USA.
The lawyer considers the distribution of such information as a violation of the presumption of innocence. Sadigova also emphasizes that a nondisclosure agreement was taken from her clients, but the media received information based on testimony that neither Ulvi Hasanlyinor other employees of Abzas Media gave. The lawyer considers it black PR and intends to take appropriate legal steps.
Abzas Media employees who are currently in pretrial detention had not been allowed to meet and call their family members until very recently. Nijat Amiraslanov , the husband of journalist Elnara Gasimova , told Meydan TV that he had only spoken to her on the phone once since the arrest:
“We can only carry transmissions. But neither meet nor receive any information. For 20 days, only one phone call, and nothing else.“
According to Zibeyda Sadigova, the ban on telephone conversations and meetings is completely inexplicable.
Zibeyda Sadigova:
“The investigator does not explain why Ulvi Hasanli and other journalists cannot call their relatives or meet with them once a week. While Ulvi has a one-year-old daughter, she is now in an important period, both parents must be nearby. But Ulvi is deprived of this. We complained to the court many times about the illegality of this decision of the investigator, and the court rejects our complaints and does not give any explanations why it considers it justified.
We expect that, in the event of this or that complaint or question, the defendants themselves will contact the lawyers, they have the right to call their lawyers. Unfortunately, Abzas Media employees are not allowed to do this this. In connection with this, we also went to court, but, again, to no avail.” (Editor’s Note: Since this discussion, in late February some Abzas Media employees were allowed to contact their families).
Civil activist Ilhamiz Guliyev, who worked in the authorities in the past, also faced inhuman treatment during detention. One of his close friends, Aygul Jafarova, spoke to us about it. According to her, she went to the police department where Ilhamiz was, but although he was definitely there, the deputy head of the department denied it.
Aygul Jafarova:
“In front of me, three people in plainclothes pulled over Ilhamiz and pushed him into a Hyundai civilian car with a number ending in 333. They didn’t introduce themselves, but I rushed to the car and started asking where they were taking him, but they didn’t answer me. I called the Office of the Ombudsman, told them about what happened, that the person was taken away like that. But they did not accept my complaint, justifying it by the fact that “if the people who took him away were in civil service, it is not a fact that they are policemen, but we only accept complaints related to state structures”.
Ilhamiz was beaten by these people in the car. I went to the nearest police department in Yasamal district. In the yard of the office was the same car that took away Ilhamiz. And they told me that they didn’t deliver him there. Then his lawyer came. We continued to stand in front of the department, and the deputy called us and the lawyer to him. While we were in his office, friends who were waiting outside saw Ilhamiz being taken out of the department and away. He managed to shout to them, “I’m here”. And at this time, the deputy head of the department distracted us with his lie. It turned out that he was taken to the district police department of the Yasamal district. Lawyer Zibeyda Saiygova met there with Ilhamiz and also later confirmed that he had bruises on his face.
As a former police officer, Ilhamiz Guliyev told Abzas Media in an interview about how policemen plant unregistered drugs on detainees. He gave this interview anonymously, but Guliyev’s identity was soon revealed and he was subsequently arrested. Relatives and friends associate the arrest with that interview.
Zibeyda Sadigova says that persons arrested for political motives are discriminated against by law enforcement agencies and justice agencies. According to her observations, in relation to people who have committed socially dangerous crimes, the court sometimes chooses not imprisonment, but an alternative measure of restraint.
Zibeyda Sadigova
“On January 9, 2024, a fire broke out in the perinatal center, four babies died. But the accused in this person were not taken into custody. Perhaps, the prosecutor’s office demanded this, but the court chose house arrest. Our legislation allows this, alternative measures of prevention may be chosen. But in the case of politically motivated arrests, there is open discrimination. For example, Ulvi Hasanly is not responsible for anyone’s death, and is not accused of more serious crimes. He is only accused of smuggling. Compared to others, this act is not of a socially dangerous nature. However, Abzas Media employees are under lock and key. Or, for example, people who are in pre-trial detention centers on charges of murder or drug trafficking can easily call and meet with their families. Abzas Media journalists arrested for political reasons are prohibited from doing so.”
Rufat Safarov, a human rights activist who worked in the prosecutor’s office in the past, says that particularly in the last year, Azerbaijan has not complied with the international conventions to which it has joined, and there is a violation of human rights and freedoms in the country.
“People who criticize the government, public activists, journalists, engaged in investigations – all of them are attracted to administrative or criminal responsibility on fabricated grounds because of their activities. In the context of freedom of speech, defamation and ostracism are used. The rights and freedoms, including the rights to inviolability, freedom of expression, and the right to a fair trial, enshrined in the European Convention, are grossly violated. Judging by everything, although Azerbaijan formally joined the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the European Convention on Human Rights and its protocols, de facto it does not fulfill its obligations.
According to Safarov, the indictments drawn up at the initial stage of the investigation on the basis of fabricated evidence are copied word for word into the indictments. And subsequent instances, again, simply rewrite the same decision and leave it in force.
Rufat Safarov:
“At court proceedings with a political background, judges do not behave like arbitrators, but like one of the parties or prosecutors. Because the judicial power is an extension of the executive power and the independence of the judges is not ensured. In accordance with Article IV of Article 8 of the Constitution, the president is the guarantor of the independence of the judiciary. Taking this into account, people who cannot restore violated rights in local courts turn to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). In 2023, the ECtHR adopted 40 decisions on claims submitted by Azerbaijan. And according to these decisions, it is clear that the right to a fair trial was violated most often. In addition, the decisions of the ECtHR found their reflection in violation of the right to freedom and inviolability, respect for private and family life, prohibition of torture, rights to property, life, effective means of legal protection of rights, as well as violation of freedom of assembly and association, freedom of expression . Unfortunately, Azerbaijan is leading in non-compliance with ECtHR decisions. Here it is appropriate to recall the 18th article of the Convention – limits of application of restrictions related to rights. This convention norm is aimed at preventing the state from limiting the rights of its citizens for political reasons and abuse of power.
Rufat Safarov declares that the law enforcement agencies, the courts, the prosecutor’s office are on guard against the political and repressive interests of the ruling party.
Comparing other criminal cases, and cases that are considered politically motivated, Safarov comes to the conclusion that the power structures are guided by a political order.
Rufat Safarov:
“Power structures that carry out a repressive policy operate with complete impunity. Pay attention: in relation to activists, oppositionists, journalist-investigators, at the initial stage of the investigation, the most severe measure of restraint is chosen – detention under custody. According to the instructions of the government, alternative measures of prevention are not applied to them. But, for example, ex-minister Salim Muslimov, accused of embezzling 27 million, is free. Or the officials responsible for the fire in the perinatal center and the death of four babies are under house arrest, not in pretrial detention. What does this say? About the fact that official Baku approaches rights nihilistically, gives unequal and unfair assessments to similar cases, and about the fact that the legal system as a whole limps on both legs.
In the final report of the ECHR for 2023, it is reported that Azerbaijan is among the top ten countries in terms of the number of claims sent to this court. According to some experts, this is due to the fact that the political environment in the country is becoming more and more stuffy, and opponents of the authorities face judicial injustice.
On January 24, 2024, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) suspended the powers of the Azerbaijani delegation for a year. Among the reasons for making such a decision, it was mentioned that Azerbaijan did not invite PACE to observe the presidential elections on February 7, as well as the politically motivated arrests practiced in the country. The Assembly declares that Azerbaijan does not fulfill the basic obligations assumed upon joining the Council of Europe. The Azerbaijani delegation, in turn, also announced the suspension of cooperation with PACE for an indefinite period.
From time to time, various international organizations make statements that rights and freedoms, including freedom of speech, are grossly violated in Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani government claims that no one in the country is prosecuted for political activity, opinions and statements, and individual persons are justly convicted of specific crimes.
With the support of the News Exchange (Mediaset)
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]]>The ban on telephone conversations and meetings with family members of journalists arrested in the criminal case related to “AbzasMedia” has been lifted. Shahla Humbatova, the Nargiz Absalamova’s lawyer, said that the investigator investigating the “AbzasMedia” case informed him about the phone conversation and the cancellation of the meeting ban.
The ban lasted for three months, against which the detained journalists filed a complaint to the court regarding the restriction of meeting and telephone conversation rights.
According to Shahla Humbatova, both the first court procedure and the following appeal did not lead to the ban being removed. While Humbatova says that the ban may now be lifted, her client’s rights were still violated, and if local courts do not uphold the complaint, they will take the case to the European Court of Human Rights.
The imprisoned journalists have already contacted their family members. The mother of “AbzasMedia” editor-in-chief Sevinj Vagifgizi (Abbasova) Ofeliya Maharramova told Meydan TV that her daughter contacted her on 19 February. Her lawyer Fariz Namazli also met with her yesterday.
Ofeliya Maharramova added that she will meet with her daughter in the pretrial detention center this week.
Another journalist, Elnara Gasimova, contacted her relatives on 19 February.
Arrests in the “AbzasMedia” case, known for its corruption investigations, began on November 20. First, the site’s director Ulvi Hasanli, deputy director Mahammad Kekalov, and editor-in-chief Sevinj Vagifqizi were arrested. Later, arrests continued with investigative journalist Hafiz Babali, Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Gasimova. They are also charged with Article 206.3.2 (smuggling by a group of persons) of the Criminal Code.
The sanction of this article provides for imprisonment from 5 to 8 years.
After Ulvi Hasanli was detained on November 20, the office of “AbzasMedia” was searched. It was claimed that 40,000 euros were found in the site’s office.
Ulvi Hasanli said that there was no money there, that 40,000 euros were deposited in the office by those who claimed to have found it.
All of the named journalists plead not guilty, saying that they are being targeted for investigations they published related to business and corruption about a number of officials, including members of the President’s family.
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]]>The post Ilham Aliyev sworn in as President again appeared first on MEYDAN.TV.
]]>On 14 February, the swearing-in ceremony of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev was held in the Milli Majlis.
Chairman of the Constitutional Court, Farhad Abdullayev, who spoke at the event, said that after confirming the results of the Central Election Commission on the presidential election yesterday, Ilham Aliyev was declared the President of Azerbaijan.
On 13 February, the Constitutional Court confirmed the results of the presidential election.
Seven candidates participated in the election, which was held on 7 February. Opposition parties Azerbaijan People’s Front, Musavat and Classic People’s Front parties boycotted the election.
Based on the final protocol of the Central Election Commission, the Constitutional Court said that Ilham Aliyev won the presidential elections with 92.12 % of votes.
According to the latest information of the Central Election Commission, voter turnout was 76.43%.
Ilham Aliyev has been serving as President of Azerbaijan for over than 20 years.
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]]>The post Azerbaijan’s Constitutional Court confirmed the results of the presidential elections appeared first on MEYDAN.TV.
]]>Azerbaijan’s Constitutional Court has confirmed the results of the presidential elections held on 7 February 7.
Based on the final protocol of the Central Election Commission, the Constitutional Court said that Ilham Aliyev won the presidential elections with 92.12% of votes.
Extraordinary presidential elections were held in Azerbaijan on 7 February. Seven candidates participated in the election, while the Azerbaijan People’s Front, Musavat and Classic People’s Front parties boycotted the election.
According to Article 103 of the Constitution, the President-elect takes an oath in the presence of the judges of the Constitutional Court within 3 days after the announcement of the election results. The President of Azerbaijan is considered to have started the exercise of his powers from the day he took the oath.
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]]>The post Azerbaijan reports a ceasefire violation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border appeared first on MEYDAN.TV.
]]>On February 12, the Press Service of the Military Prosecutor’s Office released information about the incident.
It is noted that information was received by the Military Prosecutor’s Office of Qubadli regarding the injury of soldier Perviz Khalilzadeh from the N division of the State Border Service as a result of gunfire from the Armenian side.
The information highlights that the Military Prosecutor’s Office of Qubadli obtained an explanation from the soldier:
“Relevant necessary measures were taken in conjunction with the colleagues of the Criminalistics and Information Technologies Department of the Military Prosecutor’s Office, an on-site inspection was conducted, and other actions were taken.”
According to the facts, a criminal case has been initiated by the Military Prosecutor’s Office of Qubadli under Article 29.120.2.12 (attempted murder with national, racial, religious hatred or enmity) of the Criminal Code:
“Witnesses have been interviewed, relevant expertise has been appointed, enforcement has been pursued, and indispensable investigative actions have been taken. Currently, the investigation is ongoing, and all measures will be taken in accordance with the requirements of legislation and the principles of international law.”
The Armenian Ministry of Defense Military Police also issued a statement regarding the incident.
It’s reported that information spread in the Azerbaijani media on February 12 about Armenian military personnel opening fire on the Armenia-Azerbaijan state border is being investigated.
“According to preliminary information, such a situation did not occur in this area on February 12. If this is confirmed, those who violated the order will be held accountable,” the press service of the institution stated.
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