FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “The sham presidential election in Azerbaijan on February 7 lacked competition, barred interested parties from participating, and imposed restrictions on freedoms through arbitrary bans…” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms Controversial presidential elections of February 7 Ilham Aliyev secured his fifth consecutive term as Azerbaijan's President, gathering 92% of the vote in the Wednesday elections, as announced by Mazahir Panahov, the chief of the Central Election Commission. The snap election was called a year ahead of schedule, following Azerbaijan's...


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FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “That "Iron Fist" would turn against the people of Azerbaijan after the victory in the war…” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms Journalist Elnara Gasimova was apprehended today at the Baku City Police Department, where she had been summoned for questioning. She is facing the same charge as other employees of "Abzas Media" – smuggling in a group. Notably, on November 20, the director of "Abzas Media," Ulvi Hasanli, along with his deputy Muhammad Kekalov, and on November 21, chief editor Sevinj Vagifgizi and reporter Nargiz Absalamova were detained. Subsequently,...


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FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “The Aliyev regime seeks to eradicate social-political institutions and activists who criticize and expose its oppressive, anti-people policies. Consequently, it continues to implement a sustained campaign of repression against independent and critical activists and institutions…” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms "AbzasMedia" journalists Ulvi Hasanli and Sevinj Vagifgizi have been handed a 4-month detention sentence on charges of smuggling. According to "Abzas Media," the district court in Baku reached a verdict on Tuesday, finding Hasanli and Vagifgizi...


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FB Digest@VoxPOPULI “One of the most important responses to the groundless "ethnic cleansing" accusations made by the Armenians should be to urgently enhance the human rights records of the country…” (Lack of ) Human Rights and Freedoms Labor rights activist Afiaddin Mammadov, who was arrested on trumped-up assault charges, refuted the accusations against him. He stated, "I am innocent of this crime. In fact, the other person assaulted me so severely that two days after my arrest and imprisonment, I had a nosebleed. I founded the Workers' Table Trade Union, with my primary responsibility...


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    FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   "Ilham Aliyev's support for Russia's imperial policy at a time when even Russia's closest allies are distancing themselves from it is illogical and can only be explained by a desire to strengthen solidarity among authoritarian regimes and slow down the global democratic changes that await the region." (Lack of) Human Rights and Liberties Member of Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (APFP) Salyan branch Zaur Ahmadov was detained by two civilian police officers. Azadliq newspaper reports that Ahmadov was taken to an unknown destination, and only...


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