FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “The Heydar Aliyev dynasty is a curse upon Azerbaijan. It has deprived the country of all the normal foundations necessary for its development…” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms 'If only the system he [Heydar Aliyev] created had disappeared once he was gone. The Heydar Aliyev dynasty is a curse upon Azerbaijan. It has deprived the country of all the normal foundations necessary for its development.” These words were said in an article by the late journalist Elmar Huseynov. Huseynov, a brave critic of the ruling Aliyevs family, was assassinated 19 years...


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FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “This family’s greed knows no bounds. Everything must belong to them. From oil to gas, from gas to cotton, from cotton to hazelnuts—they never had enough. From gold mines to sand quarries, from technoparks to agro parks, from flower plantations to sunflower fields—everything is theirs.” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms The trial of Fazil Gasimov, a doctoral student from Istanbul University, continued at the Baku Serious Crimes Court, presided over by Judge Mahira Karimova. A preparatory hearing for Gasimov's case had taken place a month ago, during...


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FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “Leaving the Council of Europe would result in Azerbaijanis losing the opportunity to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights when their rights are not ensured in the country's courts…” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms The request for the house arrest of journalist Elnara Gasimova, arrested in connection with the "Abzas Media" case, was reviewed on February 2. Abzas Media reported that the request was not granted during the proceedings at the Baku Court of Appeal. The series of detentions began with the arrest of Ulvi Hasanli, the director of "Abzas...


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FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “Corruption in the country is widespread, and effective opposition to the government has been weakened by years of crackdowns on rival politicians and civil society…” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms The Baku Court of Appeals dismissed journalist Nargiz Absalamova's appeal on January 29. The appeal was regarding the prohibition of meetings and telephone conversations with her family members. The court justified the investigative ban by claiming that communication with Absalamova's family might hinder the exposure of other individuals involved in crimes....


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    FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “The effectiveness and independence of the Azerbaijani opposition can only be realized through emigration or in coordination with those in exile…” (Lack of ) Human Rights and Freedoms On September 15, the Baku Court of Appeal will review the petition submitted by the legal representatives of jailed professor Gubad Ibadoglu. Meanwhile, the European Parliament conducted hearings regarding Ibadoglu, during which EP deputies addressed his unjust arrest on fabricated charges, as well as the broader issue of human rights violations and political...


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