21 December 2005, 14:48
Human rights defender prohibited from going abroad
The government of Azerbaijan once again prohibited human rights defender Hajji Ilgar Ibragimoglu from going abroad yesterday, the activist told Caucasian Knot's correspondent. According to him, this is already the seventh prohibition that he has faced over the past 18 months.
This time, the human rights defender intended to leave for Moscow. The Institute of Europe at the Russian Academy of Sciences had invited him to take part in a scientific conference titled "Freedom, Religion, Morality and Responsibility in Society."
In 2004, Mr Ibragimoglu was given a five-year suspended sentence in connection with the developments on 15-16 October 2003. He has since been prohibited from going abroad.
One day before his departure for Moscow, the human rights defender had informed Azerbaijan's Justice Ministry about that as is demanded from people with his status. However, during an examination by border guards in the Baku airport they gave him his passport back and said that he was not allowed to go abroad as ordered by the Justice Ministry. Mr Ibragimoglu considers the actions of the Justice Ministry illegal and intends to apply to a court of law after consultations with his lawyers.
"By prohibiting me from going abroad, the government limits my freedom. So it makes no difference if I am behind bars or at large," said Mr Ibragimoglu.
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Author: Zaur Rasulzade, CK correspondent
