FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “International events like COP29 should not be used to gloss over the repressions of Azerbaijan’s authoritarian regime. Instead, attendees—politicians, activists and journalists—discussing climate change in Baku should also raise awareness of the political prisoners unjustly detained and suffering in Azerbaijan’s prisons.” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms Azerbaijani political refugee Vidadi Isgandarli, who resides in France, was attacked on Sunday and is in critical condition. Exiled journalist Ganimat Zahid reported this on his social media...


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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   “The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe certainly cannot be blackmailed. The conditions are crystal clear. Azerbaijan must comply with all the rules of the Parliamentary Assembly without any ifs and buts...” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms On September 12, the Baku Court of Grave Crimes reviewed and denied the petition to release activist Famil Khalilov, a first-degree disabled person, under house arrest. He has been on a hunger strike for 30 days in protest against his imprisonment. Khalilov, who was arrested on May 2, has been charged...


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FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “Those who detain us belong to Prison. No one can silence free media...” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms Another activist, Nijat Ibrahim, was not allowed to leave Azerbaijan on September 6. He was not permitted to board the flight to Chișinău at the border checkpoint of Baku International Airport. 'We were traveling as a family to Chișinău, but I was stopped at the border checkpoint and told that the Ministry of Internal Affairs had placed a "stop" on my departure,' he told Turan. Ibrahim's wife and two young daughters were allowed to leave. 'My family...


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FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “Samadov's case is part of a broader trend of increasing arrests of journalists, human rights activists, and civil society representatives in Azerbaijan since last year...” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms In the Sabail District Court, a four-month pre-trial detention was ordered for political analyst Bahruz Samadov, who was detained last week. He is being charged under Article 274 of the Criminal Code (treason). This charge carries a potential sentence of 12 to 20 years or life imprisonment. Lawyer Zibeyde Sadigova has stated that they will appeal the decision....


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