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   “The regime believes that even the smallest political concession—such as dismantling the physical cages built around Baku’s streets or opening a single land border crossing—would lead to everything collapsing, bringing the regime down with it...” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms Fazil Gasimov, a PhD student at Istanbul University who was detained in Turkey in August 2023 and brought to Azerbaijan, has been on a hunger strike for 90 days while in prison. Human rights defender, the executive director of the "Defense Line" human rights organization...


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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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FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “The government is aware of the growing discontent, particularly socio-economic grievances, official corruption, and lawlessness, but is unable to address them or make any substantial improvements...” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms "The high-ranking officials of the detention center administer torture under the 'No to Torture!' slogans posted on the walls by the Ombudsman”, wrote political prisoner Ulvi Hasanli. Hasanli revealed shocking facts about the torture in Azerbaijani prisons. Currently jailed, journalist Ulvi Hasanli is the head of AbzasMedia....


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FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “The next parliamentary election is not an election, but a cheap play scripted to fit Ilham Aliyev's desires, with predetermined outcomes...” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms The preliminary hearing of political prisoner Sahib Mammadzade, chairman of the AXCP Dashkasan Regional Council, took place at the Ganja Serious Crimes Court. During the hearing, lawyer Zabil Gahramanov filed a petition requesting that Mammadzade be released under house arrest. However, presiding judge Natig Aliyev denied this petition and ordered that Mammadzade remain in custody....


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