Azeri activists treat refusal to apply CER to Gasanov as political discrimination

Activists have treated the refusal to use the conditional early relief (CER) in relation to the Azerbaijani oppositionist Babek Gasanov as discrimination on political grounds. The defence has appealed against the court judgement.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Babek Gasanov, the head of the Narimanov District Branch of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), was sentenced to three years in prison in the case of illegal financing of the PFPA. On May 17, Babek Gasanov went on a hunger strike in protest against pressure on him and other prisoners, his brother Djavid Gasanli said. On July 1, the court refused to release Gasanov on CER, explaining that he had been placed into the dungeon (punishment cell) for violating the discipline.

Gasanov's brother and defence treat the CER refusal as unjustified.

"According to the advocate, the court rejected the CER, because Babek was placed into the dungeon at the SIZO (pre-trial prison). But at that time, Babek was under investigation. After he began serving his term in the colony, he had no disciplinary punishments," said Djavid Gasanli.

"Under the pandemic, it's more reasonable to release prisoners who have served most of their terms. Moreover, Gasanov's article is not about grave crimes," the advocate, Djavad Djavadov, has added.

Seimur Khazi, Deputy Chairman of the PFPA, saw political discrimination in the court decision.

"Courts in Azerbaijan practice release on CER, but our party members are denied this. I myself have served my full prison term," Mr Khazi has stated.