Political trials continue in Azerbaijan. Lawyer Intigam Aliyev sentenced to 7 ½ years.
Published: Apr 22, 2015 Reading time: 2 minutes
Prague, April 22 – Today Intigam Aliyev, an Azerbaijani lawyer and human rights defender, was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison.
"It is patently obvious that the conviction of Intigam Aliyev is based on political order and is part of the long-term campaign against independent NGOs, journalists and opponents of the Azerbaijani regime," said Adéla Pospíchalová from People in Need. "We deeply respect Intigam for his perseverance in the fight for civil rights and basic freedoms in his country. For this, he was also awarded People in Need’s Homo Homini Award in 2012, "she added.
Intigam Aliyev is a leading Azerbaijani human rights activist, lawyer and critic of the regime of Ilham Aliyev. During his career, he has submitted more than 200 applications to the European Court of Human Rights; has provided legal assistance to human rights defenders and the unfairly prosecuted; and has given lectures about civil society at home and abroad. His arrest in August 2014 was part of the state led campaign against NGOs that have been opposed to the structure of the government and have criticized the political situation as well as the autocratic methods of President Ilham Aliyev’s government. Intigam Aliyev has been accused of tax evasion, illegal activities and abuse of power. However, international and domestic human rights organizations agree that these are trumped up charges.
The wave of arrests, intended to strengthen Ilham Aliyev’s authoritarian position as a reaction to events in Ukraine, has escalated further and has paralyzed the non-violent opposition. On April 16, 2015, Rasul Jafarov, another major human rights defender, was sentenced to six and a half years in prison. Given the steadily deteriorating human rights situation in Azerbaijan, it is reasonable to expect that dozens of other opponents of the regime, who are still waiting for their trial in custody, will face a similar scenario.
For more information contact
Adéla Pospíchalová, People in Need: (mobile) 777 787 968; email: adela.pospichalova@clovekvtisni.cz