FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “There is no compelling rationale or justification for the government to reject the opposition's rally. Rejecting it would signify an admission of weakness, representing a moral and political failure of the government…” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms Summoning of journalists to the police has resumed, indicating a potential for new arrests. On April 17, journalist Mina Alyarli was called to appear at the Baku City Main Police Department at 4:00 PM. The head investigator of the Serious Crimes Investigation Department, Togrul Huseynov, contacted Alyarli...


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FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “I knew that I had to give double, triple in Azerbaijan, because I was fighting in their country and they had bought everyone…” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms The National Council of Democratic Forces decided to organize a rally in Baku, scheduled for April 21 at 3:00 p.m. The primary objectives of the rally encompass the release of political prisoners, electoral reforms ensuring unhindered election rallies and genuine opposition representation in election commissions, enhancement of the living standards through child benefits, increased social support,...


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FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “The government should also heed this demand for rallies and lift the unjust ban on rallies. It is our people's right to assemble freely and peacefully, to voice grievances against the government, and to assert their demands…” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms Journalist Ismayil Tagiyev was called in as a witness to the Baku Serious Crimes Prosecution Office regarding the Abzas Media case. He spent approximately three hours at the police department before departing later that day. Tagiyev, in a statement to journalists, mentioned being detained in connection...


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FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “How can a head of state, justify the unjust arrests of his most decent citizens by the injustices that have occurred elsewhere in the world?” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms Elbayi Karimli, a young member of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (APFP), wrote "Stalin" on the statue of former president Heydar Aliyev. Consequently, he was arrested, subjected to severe torture, falsely accused of narcotics possession, and imprisoned for six years. Party Chairman Ali Karimli stated that while they do not condone youth's actions of writing on statues, it is unjust...


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FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “In a bid to stifle the rise of democracy in the region and cling onto power, the regime purposefully heightens tensions between our nation and Europe…” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms Lawyer Fakhraddin Mehdiyev visited Niyamaddin Ahmadov, the security guard of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (APFP) chairman, at Detention Facility No. 12. Mehdiyev reported that although Ahmadov remains on a hunger strike, his health condition is relatively stable despite some concerns. He relayed the appeals from party leadership and family members urging Ahmadov...


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