Azerbaijan in atmosphere of terror and torture

Numerous irregularities on the day of presidential elections of October 15 did not complete the process of mass breaches of the law, violence and terror started even before an official start of the election campaign. That is notable that even one third of OSCE short-term observers publicized their own declaration about mass violations. Repressions against opposition activists are practiced in Baku city and provinces of Azerbaijan after the elections. They are arrested not only for alleged participation in the unallowed meeting at Azadliq Plaza, but members of election commissions for their refusals to sign falsified protocols, observers for their protests against violations of the election law. The situation is especially difficult in the provinces where some offices of local branches of the opposition parties are closed or attacked.

These days, the pro-governmental TV channels broadcast hate speeches against the opposition appealing for the closure of opposition media and political parties, arrests and punishment of their activists. Today, arrested leader of the opposition party "Umid" Iqbal Agazade has witnessed against the "Musavat" leaders in connection with the mass disorders of October 16. He did it allegedly under torture. Some terrorized opposition activists are forced to withdraw publicly from their party membership. In Baku school No 249, the director gathered the pupils and declared that "there would be no place for the children of arrested Musavat party members in the school", concretely for Tural Babayev, a son of Mirbaba Babayev.

That recalls the atmosphere of Stalin's terror of 1930s when the same party activists and their family members were repressed by Communists.

There are claims a total number of arrested people has reached 600 people. The indirect evidence of it is the fact that facilities for administrative prisoners in Azerbaijan are overloaded.

To check the allegations, the Federation of Human Rights Organizations of Azerbaijan established the ad hoc Crisis Center on the basis of the Institute of Peace and Democracy and for the account of its own human and technical resources. Hundreds of complaints have been received via hotline and e-mail of the Institute. The Federation has already collected concrete information on about 200 detainees, 13 missing and 26 severely beaten people.

We urge you:

• to grant much attention to this missed opportunity of fair elections and to audit the results of voting;
• to campaign against the terror against the political opposition in Azerbaijan and for the liberation of new political prisoners
• and to stop torture.

October 20, 2003

The list of people who were severely beaten, arrested and who disappeared in Azerbaijan after the presidential elections of October 15, 2003

Ali-Bayramly

1. Alisafa (Musavat Party member, observer) - arrested in Ali-Bayramly on Oct. 16, 2003
2. Babayev Ilgar (Musavat Party member, observer) - arrested in Aly-Bayramly on Oct. 16, 2003
3. Bashirli Ali (APFP - Azerbaijan Popular Front Party chair) - arrested from home on Oct. 16, 2003
4. Gojayev Rasim (Umud Party chair) - arrested in Aly-Bayramly on Oct. 17, 2003
5. Isayev Kamil (ADP chair) - arrested from home on Oct. 18, 2003
6. Nazim (Musavat Party member, observer) - arrested in Aly-Bayramly on Oct. 16, 2003
7. Rafizadeh Abdulla (Musavat Party chair) - beaten and arrested in Ali-Bayramly on Oct. 17, 2003
8. Yusifov Anar (Musavat Party member) - arrested in Aly-Bayramly on Oct. 16, 2003
9. Zeynalov Alibey (Musavat Party agitation secretary, PEC member) - arrested from home on Oct. 17, 2003

Agstafa

1. Aslanov Najaf (Musavat Party member, observer) - arrested in Agstafa on Oct. 18, 2003; sentenced to 5 days of imprisonment
2. Aslanov Nazat (APFP member) - arrested in Agstafa on Oct. 17, 2003

Baku

1. Abbasov Khidayat (ADP - opposition Azerbaijan Democratic Party) - beaten in Baku on Oct. 16, 2003 
2. Abdulloglu Aga (ADP) - beaten in Baku on Oct. 16, 2003
3. Agayev (Musavat Party member, PEC member) - arrested on Oct. 16, 2003
4. Agayev Suleyman (Musavat Party member) - arrested on Oct. 17, 2003
5. Agazadeh Igbal (Umud Party chair) - arrested on Oct. 17, 2003
6. Ahmedov Hijran (ADP member, observer) - arrested on Oct. 16, 2003
7. Akhundov Babek (ADP member) - arrested on Oct. 16, 2003
8. Akper Sulheddin (Musavat Party deputy chief for international affairs) - arrested on Oct. 17, 2003
9. Alekperzade Tabriz - disappeared in Baku on Oct. 16, 2003
10. Aliyev Elchin (ADP member) - arrested on Oct. 16, 2003
11. Aliyev Rashad (Musavat Party) - disappeared after the fight at Azadlig Square on Oct. 16, 2003
12. Aliyev Rauf (ADP, PEC member) - arrested on Oct. 16, 2003
13. Aliyeva Sevda (ADP) - beaten in Baku on Oct. 16, 2003
14. Allahverdiyev Najaf - arrested in Jume Mosque on Oct. 17, 2003; released on Oct. 17, 2003
15. Allahverdiyev Oruj (non-Party, PEC member) - arrested on Oct. 18, 2003
16. Altay Ilgar (Musavat Party, journalist) - arrested on Oct. 18, 2003
17. Amrakhov Nurlan Sehriman (Musavat Party Youth Organization) - disappeared in Baku on Oct. 15, 2003
18. Azimov Azim Mamedaga (non-Party) - disappeared in Baku on Oct. 16, 2003
19. Babayev Gulhuseyn (PNIA, representative in PEC) - arrested from home on Oct. 15, 2003
20. Babayev Mirbaba (Musavat Party, member of Divan (supreme council)) - arrested after work on Oct. 16, 2003
21. Badirov Mehman (election commission secretary in Yasamal) - disappeared in Baku on Oct. 16, 2003
22. Bayramov Dadash (opposition Musavat Party) - beaten in Baku
23. Dadashov Haji (APFP, PEC secretary) - arrested on Oct. 17, 2003
24. Dadashov Rahim (APFP, PEC member) - arrested on Oct. 16, 2003
25. Dadashov Sadi (non-Party activist in Nardaran) - arrested at Azadlig Square on Oct. 16, 2003; sentenced to 15 days of imprisonment
26. Fattahov Fuad (ADP member) - arrested on Oct. 16, 2003
27. Garachekli Azer (Avropa newspaper pressman) - disappeared in Baku on Oct. 16, 2003
28. Gasanov Famil (ADP) - beaten in Baku on Oct. 16, 2003
29. Gojayev Shahin (Musavat Party member) - beaten and arrested at Azadlig Square on Oct. 16, 2003; sentenced to 3 months of imprisonment
30. Gubadov Khagani (ADP, commission member) - arrested on Oct. 16, 2003
31. Gulhuseyn Haji (PNIA member) - arrested on Oct. 17, 2003
32. Guliyev Ali (Musavat Party) - disappeared in Baku on Oct. 16, 2003
33. Guliyev Fakhraddin (ADP security service chief) - arrested on Oct. 15, 2003; sentenced to 7 days of imprisonment
34. Guliyeva Zulfiya Talat (ADP) - beaten in Baku on Oct. 16, 2003
35. Guseynov Balaguseyn (ADP) - beaten in Baku
36. Hajibeyli Vagif (Ahrar Party chair) - arrested on Oct. 17, 2003
37. Hajili Mustafa (Musavat Party, Russian version editor of the "Musavat" magazine) - arrested on Oct. 17, 2003
38. Hasanov Intigam (PNIA) - arrested on Oct. 17, 2003
39. Hasanov Veli (PNIA) - arrested on Oct. 17, 2003
40. Huseynov Nizami (ADP, commission member) - arrested on Oct. 18, 2003
41. Huseynov Panah (Khalg Party chair) - arrested on Oct. 19, 2003
42. Ibadov Rashad (Musavat Party) - beaten and arrested at Azadlig square on Oct. 16, 2003
43. Ibrahimli Ibrahim (Musavat Party deputy chief) - arrested on Oct. 17, 2003
44. Isayev Talekh (ADP) - beaten in Baku on Oct. 16, 2003
45. Iskenderli Sayar (Musavat Party) - arrested on Oct. 17, 2003
46. Israfilov Akbar (Musavat Party member) - arrested at Azadlig square on Oct. 16, 2003; released on Oct. 17, 2003
47. Israfilov Khudayar (non-Party) - arrested on Oct. 17, 2003
48. Jabiyev Natig (ADP secretary of election headquarters) - beaten and arrested on Oct. 18, 2003 at Sardar Jalaloglu's house by a group in masks (during the storm); sentenced to 15 days of imprisonment
49. Jabiyev Rajab (ADP) - arrested at Musavat Party headquarters on Oct. 15, 2003
50. Jalaloglu Sardar (ADP general secretary) - beaten and arrested by a group in masks that stormed his house on Oct. 18, 2003; sentenced to 3 months of imprisonment
51. Khalilbeyli Eldaniz - arrested on Oct. 16, 2003
52. Mamedli Orhan Murshud - disappeared in Baku on Oct. 16, 2003
53. Mamedov Eldaniz Balastan (ADP) - beaten in Baku on Oct. 16, 2003
54. Mamedov Elman (ADP member, PEC member) - arrested on Oct. 18, 2003
55. Mamedov Fagani (activist) - arrested in Baku street fights on Oct. 16, 2003
56. Mamedov Mushvig (ADP general secretary's bodyguard) - arrested on Oct. 15, 2003; sentenced to 10 days of imprisonment
57. Mamedov Nizami (non-Party activist in Nardaran) - arrested at Azadlig square on Oct. 16, 2003; sentenced to 15 days of imprisonment
58. Mamedov Vagif (Musavat Party, PEC member) - arrested on Oct. 16, 2003; sentenced to 5 days of imprisonment
59. Mamedov Ziyaddin (ADP) - beaten in Baku on Oct. 16, 2003
60. Mehtiyev (Musavat Party, PEC member) - arrested on Oct. 16, 2003
61. Mehtiyev Mehti (Human Rights Resource Center director) - arrested from home on Oct. 18, 2003
62. Mirzoyev Farid (Musavat Party activist) - arrested from home on Oct. 19, 2003
63. Muhtarov Aliyar Mamedgulu (non-Party) - disappeared in Baku on Oct. 16, 2003
64. Nabiyev Hasanbala (non-Party activist in Nardaran) - arrested at Azadlig square on Oct. 16, 2003; sentenced to 15 days of imprisonment
65. Narimanoglu Azad - arrested in Jume Mosque on Oct. 17, 2003; released on Oct. 17, 2003
66. Nasibov Tavakul (PNIA) - arrested on Oct. 17, 2003
67. Pasha Yunus (Musavat Party member) - arrested on Oct. 18, 2003
68. Rauf (Musavat Party member) - arrested on Oct. 16, 2003
69. Salimov Vagif (Musavat Party member) - arrested on Oct. 17, 2003
70. Samedov (PEC member) - arrested on Oct. 16, 2003
71. Sattakhov Fuad Karhaz (ADP) - disappeared in Baku on Oct. 16, 2003
72. Shikhiyev Shikhi (PNIA) - arrested on Oct. 17, 2003
73. Talibov Nasimi (ADP member, observer) - arrested on Oct. 16, 2003
74. Zeynalov Eldar (ADP) - beaten in Baku on Oct. 16, 2003
75. Zulfugarly Rovshan (Musavat Party, PEC member) - arrested from home on Oct. 18, 2003 for his refusal to sign the protocol

Barda

1. Ibrahimov Dagyunus (APFP, DEC secretary) - arrested on Oct. 17, 2003

Ganja

1. Abbasov Rashid (PNIA) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 17, 2003
2. Abbasov Rufat (PNIA, PEC member) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 17, 2003
3. Agayev Vagif (ADP, PEC member) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 17, 2003
4. Ahmedov Ramin (ADP, PEC member) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 16, 2003
5. Ahmedov Yashar (ADP, PEC member) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 16, 2003
6. Aliyev Rahib (Musavat Party) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 17, 2003
7. Aliyev Shuruya (ADP, PEC member) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 16, 2003
8. Amirkhanly Jahahangir (Musavat Party member) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 16, 2003
9. Askerov Akif - beaten in Ganja
10. Aslanov Eldar (PNIA, PEC member) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 17, 2003
11. Babayev Rufin (ADP, PEC member) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 16, 2003
12. Bagirov Mamed - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 17, 2003
13. Baratov Barat (Musavat Party) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 17, 2003
14. Bayramov Alay (PNIA) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 16, 2003
15. Eminbeyli Sevinj (ADP, DEC member) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 17, 2003
16. Fatullayev Orkhan (ADP, PEC member) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 16, 2003
17. Gadimov Vugar (Musavat Party, observer) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 16, 2003
18. Gajimaliyev Vugar - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 17, 2003
19. Gulseyn Haji (PNIA) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 17, 2003
20. Hagverdiyev Gambar (APFP) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 17, 2003
21. Hagverdiyev Irshad (APFP) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 17, 2003
22. Hagverdiyev Rafig (APFP) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 17, 2003
23. Hasanov Sahib (APFP, PEC member) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 16, 2003
24. Huseynov Asif (APFP, PEC member) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 17, 2003
25. Imanov Salman (Musavat Party) - beaten in Ganja on Oct. 16, 2003
26. Isayev Musa (ADP, PEC member) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 16, 2003
27. Iskenderli Gulu (Musavat, PEC member) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 18, 2003
28. Ismayilov Arzu (Musavat Party, PEC member) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 17, 2003
29. Ismayilov Elnur (ADP, PEC member) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 16, 2003; sentenced to 5 days of imprisonment for his refusal to sign the protocol
30. Ismayilov Fuad (ADP, PEC member) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 16, 2003
31. Ismayilov Sakhavat (ADP, PEC member) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 16, 2003
32. Jafarov Anar - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 17, 2003
33. Jafarov Mushvig (ADP, PEC member) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 17, 2003
34. Jafarov Vusal (APFP, PEC member) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 16, 2003
35. Kerimov Zahir (Musavat Party) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 17, 2003
36. Khalilov Muraz (ADP, PEC member) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 16, 2003
37. Khalilov Nazim (ADP, PEC member) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 16, 2003
38. Latifov Etibar (PNIA, PEC member) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 17, 2003
39. Maharramli Shakira (Musavat Party) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 17, 2003
40. Mamedov Abulfet (Musavat Party) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 16, 2003
41. Mamedov Akif (ADP, PEC member) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 17, 2003
42. Mamedov Firuz (ADP, PEC member) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 16, 2003
43. Mamedov Meherrem - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 16, 2003
44. Meherremli Zakir - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 16, 2003
45. Mehtiyev Ali (APFP) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 17, 2003
46. Mirzoyev Vagif (ADP, PEC member) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 16, 2003
47. Mustafazadeh Mutu (ADP, PEC member) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 16, 2003
48. Nabiyev Vagif (ADP, PEC member) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 16, 2003
49. Namazov Shahriyar (PNIA, PEC member) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 16, 2003; released on Oct. 18, 2003
50. Narimanov Ilgar (ADP, PEC member) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 17, 2003
51. Nasibov Akif - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 17, 2003
52. Orujov Rahim (ADP, PEC member) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 16, 2003
53. Orujov Ramiz (PNIA chair) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 16, 2003
54. Shabanov Rashad (APFP) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 17, 2003
55. Yusifov Bakhtiyar (ADP, PEC member) - arrested in Ganja on Oct. 16, 2003

Gazakh

1. Mireliyev Ismayil (Musavat Party chair) - arrested in Gazakh on Oct. 19, 2003

Gebele

1. Dashdemirov Sadig (Musavat Party member) - arrested in Gebele on Oct. 17, 2003; taken to the Baku chief police office
2. Nuraddinov Nazim (Musavat Party chair) - arrested in Gebele on Oct. 17, 2003; taken to the Baku chief police office

Gedebey

1. Guliyev Oruj - arrested in Gedebey on Oct. 17, 2003

Guba

1. Abdullayev Jahangir (PNIA, PEC member) - arrested on Oct. 17, 2003
2. Hasanov Hasan (PNIA chair) - arrested on Oct. 17, 2003
3. Zeynalov Telman (PNIA member) - arrested on Oct. 17, 2003

Imishli

1. Abdullayev Afgan (APFP member) - arrested on Oct. 17, 2003
2. Aliyev Mushvig (APFP member) - arrested on Oct. 17, 2003
3. Mamedov Suleyman (APFP member) - arrested on Oct. 17, 2003
4. Seyfiyev Mirheydar (Musavat Party) - arrested in Imishli on Oct. 17, 2003
5. Shukurov Alishir (APFP member) - arrested on Oct. 17, 2003
6. Zulfugarov Mahbub (ADP chair) - arrested in Imishli on Oct. 17, 2003

Ismayilly

1. Akperli Namik (Musavat Party chair) - arrested on Oct. 16, 2003

Kurdamir

1. Mamedov Agaverdi (ADP member) - arrested on Oct. 17, 2003; sentenced to 15 days of imprisonment

Jalilabad

1. Akhundov Rahim (APFP member) - beaten and arrested on Oct. 17, 2003
2. Aliyev Veli (Musavat Party member) - arrested in Baku street fights on Oct. 16, 2003
3. Amirkhan (PNIA, commission member) - arrested on Oct. 17, 2003
4. Bedirli Akif (Musavat Party chair) - beaten and arrested on Oct. 17, 2003
5. Farajov Alizamin - beaten and arrested on Oct. 17, 2003
6. Garayev Shahbaz - beaten and arrested on Oct. 17, 2003
7. Hajibala - beaten and arrested on Oct. 17, 2003
8. Mamedov Gani (APFP chair) - arrested in Baku street fights on Oct. 16, 2003
9. Mirzoyev Akif (Musavat Party) - beaten in Djalilabad on Oct. 16, 2003
10. Umudov Arzulla (Musavat Party) - beaten in Djalilabad on Oct. 16, 2003
11. Zeynalov Afgan (Musavat Party) - beaten in Djalilabad on Oct. 16, 2003
12. Zeynalov Iman - beaten and arrested on Oct. 17, 2003

Nakhichevan

1. Abbasov Adalat (APFP, representative in DEC) - arrested on Oct. 17, 2003; released on Oct. 17, 2003
2. Aliyev Bayram (APFP, PEC member) - disappeared on Oct. 16, 2003
3. Gasimov Bakhtiyar (APFP, PEC member) - disappeared on Oct. 16, 2003
4. Jafarzadeh Savalan (APFP, PEC member) - disappeared on Oct. 16, 2003
5. Mamedov Zulfugar (APFP, PEC member) - disappeared on Oct. 16, 2003

Saatly

1. Abdiyev Fakhreddin (APFP chair) - arrested in Saatly on Oct. 17, 2003
2. Agarza (Musavat Party chair) - arrested in Saatly on Oct. 17, 2003
3. Akperov Beybala (Musavat Party) - arrested in Saatly on Oct. 17, 2003
4. Godjayev Shamsi (ADP) - beaten in Saatly on Oct. 16, 2003
5. Humbatov Mikayil (ADP chair) - arrested in Saatly on Oct. 17, 2003; sentenced to 10 days of imprisonment
6. Keremov Nasaraddin (ADP, member of Majlis) - arrested in Saatly on Oct. 18, 2003
7. Muradov Dashgin (Molla (relig.)) - arrested in Saatly on Oct. 17, 2003
8. Umudov Chingiz (Liberal Party chair) - arrested in Saatly on Oct. 17, 2003

Salyani

1. Gojayev Shamsi (ADP) - arrested on Oct. 16, 2003
2. Habil (APFP) - arrested on Oct. 18, 2003
3. Khalilbeyli Farhad (PNIA) - beaten and arrested on Oct. 18, 2003
4. Sadigov Sardar - arrested on Oct. 18, 2003
5. Tofig (Bozgurd Party chair) - arrested on Oct. 18, 2003
6. Veliyev Ramil (non-Party) - arrested on Oct. 18, 2003

Samukh

1. Akperov Ilgam (PNIA - opposition Party of National Independence of Azerbaijan) - disappeared in Samukh on Oct. 17, 2003

Shamkir

1. Alekperov Etibar (PNIA chair) - arrested on Oct. 17, 2003

Shekie

1. Feyzullayev Yaver (ADP, PEC member) - arrested on Oct. 17, 2003

Siyazan

1. Hasanov Sadyar (APFP chair) - arrested on Oct. 17, 2003

Sumgait

1. Abdullayev Shirvan (Musavat Party) - arrested on Oct. 17, 2003
2. Ahmedov Elbrus (Musavat Party) - arrested on Oct. 17, 2003
3. Akberov Ilham (PNIA) - arrested on Oct. 18, 2003 for his refusal to sign the protocol
4. Akhundov Babek - arrested at Azadlig Square on Oct. 16, 2003
5. Aliyev Balabey - beaten in Sumgait
6. Aliyev Balabey (Musavat Party) - arrested from home on Oct. 16, 2003
7. Asadbeyli Bahruz (Musavat Party chair) - arrested at night and taken to the prosecutor's office in Baku on Oct. 17, 2003
8. Fatullazadeh Ruslan (Musavat Party financial secretary, PEC member) - arrested on Oct. 18, 2003; taken to prosecutor's office of Sumgait
9. Hashimov Aliaga (Musavat Party) - arrested on Oct. 17, 2003
10. Hemidli Shireli (Musavat Party) - arrested on Oct. 17, 2003
11. Huseynli Emin (Musavat Party, student/activist) - beaten and arrested from home on Oct. 16, 2003
12. Ilyas Azeri (Musavat Party) - beaten in Sumgait on Oct. 16, 2003
13. Israfilov Ikram (Musavat Party deputy chief, PEC member) - arrested on Oct. 18, 2003; taken to the prosecutor's office of Sumgait and then to the Baku chief police station
14. Mamedli Ilham (Musavat Party) - disappeared on Oct. 16, 2003
15. Mamedov Vugar (Musavat Party) - arrested from home on Oct. 17, 2003
16. Memmedli Hesen (Musavat Party) - arrested on Oct. 17, 2003
17. Mukhtarov Aliyar (Musavat Party) - arrested at Azadlig Square on Oct. 16, 2003
18. Mustafayev Azadali (Musavat Party) - beaten in Sumgait on Oct. 16, 2003
19. Mustafayev Ilham (Musavat Party) - arrested at Azadlig Square on Oct. 16, 2003
20. Piriyev Eldar (Musavat Party) - disappeared on Oct. 16, 2003
21. Sattakhov Fuad (ADP member) - arrested at Azadlig Square on Oct. 16, 2003
22. Shukur Mustafa (Musavat Party) - beaten in Sumgait on Oct. 16, 2003
23. Takhirov Oktay (Musavat Party) - beaten in Sumgait on Oct. 16, 2003
24. Talibov Nasimi (ADP member) - arrested at Azadlig Square on Oct. 16, 2003

Tovuz

1. Kerimov Arif (APFP) - arrested in Tovuz on Oct. 19, 2003
2. Rashid (APFP) - arrested in Tovuz on Oct. 19, 2003

Yardimly-Masally

1. Ahmedov Gulbala (APFP member, observer) - arrested on Oct. 17, 2003
2. Aliyev Asif (Musavat Party, PEC member) - arrested on Oct. 17, 2003 for his refusal to sign the protocol
3. Karimov Gurshud (APFP member, observer) - arrested on Oct. 17, 2003

Zagatala

1. Muradov Vugar (ADP chair) - arrested on Oct. 17, 2003