In Azerbaijan, convicted human rights defender Talekh Khasmamedov claims being threatened by police

At the session of the Shirvan Court of Appeal, the staff members of the Udjary District Police Division openly threatened and advised "to behave well and to think about mother and sister." This was reported by convicted human rights defender Talekh Khasmamedov in his appeal to the media, the public and the country's leaders, which was passed through his lawyer.

Let us remind you that on October 9, the Shirvan Court of Appeal of Azerbaijan dismissed the appeal, filed by the human right defender Talekh Khasmamedov, the leader of the NGO "Law and Right", against the decision of the Goychay District C, which earlier sentenced Talekh Khasmamedov to 4 years of imprisonment.

The appeal of the human rights defender, who was arrested in November 2011, was passed by him to Baku from the SIZO (pre-trial prison) No. 3 on the eve of the consideration of the case at the Court of Appeal.

The appeal states that the threats from the police were initially claimed by the human rights defender during the first session of the Court of Appeal on July 10. He believes that the case against him has been fabricated by the staff members of the Udjary District Police Division.

Talekh Khasmamedov believes that his prosecution has been caused by his protection of the rights of Fuad Guseinov, a journalists from the Udjary District, a staff members of the local newspaper "Bizim Soi" (Our Roots), who was also arrested and convicted "on fabricated charges in connection with publications of the relationship of the local police with a criminal grouping, involved in industry and human traffic."

According to Talekh Khasmamedov, in connection with the protection of rights of Fuad Guseinov, he was investigating the illegal actions of the Udjary Police and sent to the appropriate authorities the evidence, which proved involvement of leaders of the Udjary Police in criminal acts.

Officials from the Udjary Police Division refused to comment on the case against the human rights defender Talekh Khasmamedov.

Representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) refuted the allegations of Talekh Khasmamedov about illegal activities of the Udjary Police.

Oktai Gyulalyev: Talekh Khasmamedov is prosecuted for political reasons

While commenting to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent on the decision of the Court of Appeal, Asabali Mustafaev, the lawyer of Talekh Khasmamedov, stated that the Court failed to conduct an objective investigation into the complaint.

Oktai Gyulalyev, the co-founder of the Public Alliance "Azerbaijan without Political Prisoners", has expressed his confidence that Talekh Khasmamedov is being prosecuted for political reasons for unmasking the Udjary Police and disseminating the documentation thereof, including videos on social networks.

Oktai Gyulalyev has reported that the international human rights organization "Amnesty International" called for the release of the human rights defender. Besides, according to Oktai Gyulalyev, Talekh Khasmamedov is included in the list of alleged political prisoners, compiled by Christopher Strasser, PACE Rapporteur, whose report will be considered at the 2013 January PACE Session.

Alliance "Azerbaijan without Political Prisoners" to take case against journalist Fuad Guseinov under its control

In his appeal, Talekh Khasmamedov also asks the President of Azerbaijan for help in restoring justice, releasing him from prison and terminating criminal proceedings against journalist Fuad Guseinov.

It should be noted that in 2010, Fuad Guseinov, the former staff member of the Udjary newspaper "Bizim Soi", was sentenced to 6.5 years of imprisonment under Article 221 (hooliganism) of the Criminal Code.

Oktai Gyulalyev has reported that the Public Alliance "Azerbaijan without Political Prisoners", which was founded last month, also intends to be actively engaged in the protection of the rights of the regional journalist Fuad Guseinov, because of whose protection Talekh Khasmamedov suffered.