According to human rights activists, there are about 50 political prisoners in Azerbaijan

In his talk with the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, human rights activist Chinghiz Ganizade has stated that now there are about 50 political prisoners in Azerbaijan. "This problem will not be resolved until they are released," he notes.

Expressing his opinion on the statement of European experts with regard to the problem of political prisoners in Azerbaijan, the human rights activist has mentioned the list of political prisoners which includes 43 names, prepared and sent to the CE by 6 non-government organizations. Among them there are the names of the persons arrested during elections, "the Sharur events," and the riot squad cases. The list includes the names of Rasim Akperov, the national hero, and businessman Shamsi Samedzade. Ch. Ganizade does not exclude the possibility of including into the list of the names of ex-ministers accused by the authorities of organizing a coup d'etat. "If their charges of an attempted coup d'etat are not lifted the ex-ministers may contact us to include their names into the list of political prisoners," highlights the human rights activist. While mentioning the expected suspension of the activity of the Working Group which includes human rights activists and representatives of authorities, Ch. Ganizade expe
cts that, on the eve of the June PACE session the activity of the Working Group may become necessary: "Possibly, the government will make a proposal to the human rights activists to convoke the Working Group in May. However, most human rights activists have resolutely decided not to work as its members," says the human rights activist. Note that the issue of political prisoners has long been "a stumbling block" in the relations between PACE and Azerbaijan. Opposition experts have several times predicted sanctions of PACE exactly due to the failure of Azerbaijan to fulfil its obligations with regard to political prisoners in the country. The official Baku has refuted all accusations about political prisoners. Statements of officials have been approximately like this - "we have no political prisoners, there are persons sentenced for specific criminal offences." The list of persons assumed by human rights activists and PACE as political prisoners also differed. The Parliamentary Assembly has several times publis
hed the names of convicts whose criminal cases, in the opinion of PACE representatives, must be reviewed. Now, they talk about several individuals who, according to opposition, have been arrested and sentenced by political reasons. PACE, however, has not so far taken any decision with regard to such persons. A lot of attention is being paid to persons included into old lists, such as Rasim Akperov, Elchin Amiraslanov, and others.

Incidentally, Eduard Lintner, deputy chair of the Council of Europe Committee for Human Rights and Legal Issues who is now in Azerbaijan, has clarified the issue of political prisoners. He has noted that no political prisoners in a CE member-state are admissible, however, the issue must be considered in detail before an individual is referred to the category of political prisoners.