20 March 2014, 17:07
EU condemns verdicts to Mamedov and Yagublu for riots in Ismailly
The conviction of Ilgar Mamedov, the leader of the civil movement "Republican Alternative" (ReAl), and Tofig Yagublu, the deputy chairman of the "Musavat" Party, on charges of rioting in the Azerbaijani city of Ismailly, is politically motivated, says the statement of Catherine Ashton and Štefan Füle, officials of the European Union (EU).
The joint statement of Catherine Ashton, the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy, and Štefan Füle, the EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, was released today by their press services in Brussels.
The statement expressed concern about the fact that oppositional politicians have been sentenced "to long terms of imprisonment after a trial, the fairness of which caused serious doubts in the international community."
Ms Ashton and Mr Füle note with regret that the sentencing of Mamedov and Yagublu "was politically motivated, which is contrary to obligations of Azerbaijan as a member of the Council of Europe."
Author: Faik Medzhid Source: CK correspondent
