FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “Azerbaijan positioning itself as peacemaker but is accused of ethnic cleansing and imprisoning opponents...” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms Former MP and businessman Nazim Baydamirli is facing a 9-year prison sentence. On September 16, the prosecutor made this request at the Baku Court of Grave Crimes, claiming that the former MP's demand for money through blackmail had been proven in court. However, Baydamirli disagrees. Before the prosecutor's statement—when the judge suggested concluding the investigation—he objected, stating that there were...


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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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FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “Corruption remains a major challenge for firms operating in Azerbaijan and a small group of government-connected holding companies dominates the economy...” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms Former diplomat Emin Ibrahimov was reportedly tortured with an electric shock device while in detention at the police station. Ibrahimov was detained on the evening of July 22. His lawyer, Agil Layij, informed "Azadlıq Radiosu" that an unknown person attacked Ibrahimov near the Khalklar Dostlugu metro station. Subsequently, he was detained by plainclothes officers...


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FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “Elections cannot take place without schools being in session because the government's primary base for electoral fraud is in schools...” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms After persistent demands from political detainee Alasgar Mammadli himself, his family, and the public, the court ruled that a needle biopsy should be performed on the 26 mm tumor discovered in his thyroid gland at a private clinic. According to the court order, the biopsy procedure was supposed to be conducted at a hospital chosen by Mammadli and by the doctors he selected. However,...


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