FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “These elections took place in a restrictive political and legal environment, the consequence of which was a lack of political pluralism coupled with the subdued and low-key campaign, all of which undermined the electoral process...” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms Lawyer Rufat Safarov stated that Sweden's Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Mr. Tobias Lorentzson, met with the family of prisoner of conscience Famil Khalilov. Diplomats from the embassies of Latvia and Estonia in Azerbaijan also attended the meeting. First-degree disabled person Famil Khalilov was deported...


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FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “As long as the "iron fist" hovers like a nightmare over the Azerbaijani people, things could get even worse...” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms Jailed academician Fazil Gasimov’s brother Nazim Gasimov shared concerning news about the health condition of his brother. According to him, Fazil Gasimov Fazil Gasimov, who has been on a hunger strike for several weeks in protest of his wrongful arrest, is now unable to walk or speak due to severe weight loss. Nazim Gasimov: “I went to visit Fazil. Since Fazil was too weak to come to the meeting, they took...


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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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FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “Ilham Aliyev's deliberate policies over many years have completely destroyed the electoral institution and the public's trust and confidence in elections in the country...” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms Activist Aykhan Israfilov was brutally beaten and placed in solitary confinement. Israfilov was taken from the Penitentiary Facility on June 29, 2024, and since then, there has been no information about his whereabouts. His family members and lawyer contacted the Penitentiary Service to obtain information, but the Penitentiary Service stated that they...


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FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “Under the new Labour government, the exposure of expensive properties, offshore accounts, and money laundering schemes linked to the Azerbaijani elite is expected to intensify...” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms The detention period of three more individuals arrested in connection with the "Toplum TV case" has been extended. On July 4, by the decision of the Khatai District Court, the detention period for Akif Gurbanov, the head of the "Institute for Democratic Initiatives" and spokesperson for the "III Republic Platform", Ruslan Izzetli, a founding...


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