FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “The most urgent problem facing the nation at the moment is ensuring the freedom of assembly...” (Lack of) Human Rights and Liberties After nine months of trial, the Baku Serious Crimes Court has finally made a decision on the case of Asgar Aghazadeh, who was accused of sexual harassment against activist Sanay Yaghmur (Gahramanli). On October 12, according to the verdict presided over by Judge Novruz Karimov, Aghazadeh was sentenced to five years in prison. Speaking his last words before the court, Aghazadeh said that there was no evidence...


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    FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “The reaction of the authorities and the public to the mass suicide of veterans is not adequate.” (Lack of) Human Rights and Liberties Aziz Mamiyev, an activist of the Musavat party, shared in his Facebook post that he was tortured while in detention. According to Mamiyev,  he was severely tortured after being detained by the police at the rally held in July demanding the opening of the land borders. Mamiyev shared one of the police officers’ photo who had tortured him.  Journalist Gulnara Rahimova, who witnessed the police brutality,...


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      FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “The General Prosecutor's Office holding a conference on media is a self-revelation and clear proof of the Aliyev government’s treatment of journalism.” (Lack of) Human Rights and Liberties Anar Aliyev, a political activist, living in Germany, was arrested in Baku on false charges, and his wife was banned from leaving the country. Exiled journalist Afgan Mukhtarli called the activist’s arrest “an immoral act by president Aliyev”.  According to Mukhtarli, Anar Aliyev’s wife was asked to write a testimony against her husband...


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      FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “Heydar Aliyev’s return to power is not a day of salvation for our people but a day of defeat of the republic, people's government, republican values, and restoration of family power.” (Lack of) Human Rights and Liberties French police have arrested two people accused of attempting to kill blogger Mahammad Mirzali. One of those arrested was an Azerbaijani citizen and the other a Moldovan of Turkish origin. Police found a machine gun, Mirzali’s photos, and instructions to his home address in their car. The Nantes court sentenced...


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      FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “The government, which is interested in attracting tourists and investment to the country, would establish a normal judicial, health, and police system in the country.” (Lack of) Human Rights and Liberties The Muslim Union Movement has appealed to human rights organizations, NGOs, and theologians, as well as a number of political and public figures, regarding the hunger strike of the members of the movement in prison. The appeal says: “While this situation has reached this point, it is necessary to address you as the leading...


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