19 March 2014, 01:17
Human rights defenders and opposition leaders criticize Azerbaijani authorities for guilty verdict to Ilgar Mamedov and Tofig Yagublu
Members of Azerbaijani and international human rights organizations have criticized the decision of the court to sentence to long terms of imprisonment Ilgar Mamedov, the leader of the civil movement "Republican Alternative" (ReAl), and Tofig Yagublu, Deputy Chairman of the "Musavat" Party, a columnist of the newspaper "Yeni Musavat".
"Imprisonment of Ilgar Mamedov and Tofig Yagublu is another spot even on the imitation of democracy in Azerbaijan prior to its presidency (from May to November 2014, note of the "Caucasian Knot") at the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe," declares the statement of the Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS) disseminated in connection with the conviction of Ilgar Mamedov and Tofig Yagublu.
The IRFS treats the detention in custody of Ilgar Mamedov and Tofig Yagublu during 13 months and their sentence to long terms of imprisonment as "gross violation of international standards of human rights" and calls on the court of appeals to cancel the sentence and release them.
Author: Faik Medzhid Source: CK correspondent
