Democracy For Azerbaijan

10 years in prison for just spraying graffiti on a statue? On 10 th of May 2 Azerbaijani avtivists have sprayed graffiti on statue of former Azerbaijan president father of current Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev. Qiyas Ibrahimov was accused of 10 kq of heroin trafficking and were sentenced 10 years in prison. After court process mother of Qiyas Shura Ibrahimova have said “ 10 years. 10 years is nothing for Qiyas. Ilham Aliyev stole 10 years from the life of my son in order to bring his son to rule the country. There are many sons as Qiyas in Azerbaijan. Qiyas’s name will always stay in memories. I do not have much life remained. Ilham wants to destroy all of us. But he will not be able to because there are many brave men in Azerbaijan as Qiyas. Ilham Aliyev, you should afraid of them. Don’t be afraid of Qiyas anymore, you are holding him now. Journalist Gunel Safar informs that Qiyas Ibrahimov have said “ I will not defend myself because of drug prosecution. ...

26 September Referendum: What has it changed in future of Azerbaijan? Despite detention of protesting people, rallies 26 September referendum approved changes in Azerbaijan constutition. constitutional changes were supported by more than 90 percent of the voters according to official page of voting. 26 September referendum has changed the following in presidency of Ilham Aliyev Amendments include:  The extension of the presidential term in office to seven years from five, creation of the office of vice-president, and eliminating age limits for president. " Azerbaijan is rated Not Free in Freedom in the World 2016, Not Free in Freedom of the Press 2016, Partly Free inFreedom on the Net 2015, and receives a democracy score of 6.86 on a scale of 1 to 7, with 7 as the worst possible score, in Nations in Transit 2016." Freedomhouse.org mentions. I think everything is clear enough. Aliyevs will rule Azerbaijan for a longer period of time as a king.

The next rally was on 17 th of September. It has started at 3 o’clock. According to Gozal Bayramli more than 200 people are detained by police. Police have taken people by force into minibus. People were protesting against 26 September referendum. Majority of people who are detained by police are active members of Azerbaijan Popular Front Party.

Rally in Məhsul Stadium today started at 5 o’clock.   Chairman of Azerbaijan Popular front party Ali Karimov said in his speech. We were protesting against 26 september referendum and requiring freedom for political prisoners. “I can see here representatives of NIDA, REAL and other unions representatives. All of us have one problem. We want freedom and democracy.   He also talked about political prisoners. He said “ There are more than 100 political prisoners in jails today. Among them there are Ilqar Mammadov, Fuad Gahramanli, Mammad Ibrahim and others. Fuad Ahmadli political prisoner’s father Zafar also gave speech in rally. He said that his son is no guilty at all. He asked international organizations for support to stop political arrests. We were holding Azerbaijan flags. Hundreds of people had gathered in stadium. When I was going home police stopped few youth before me, I ran into subway in order not to get arrested by policemen. Give us fr...

Goverment is putting lot of pressure on REAL movement. Few days before on August 13 Natig Jafarli the secretary of Organizational Issues got arrested. On August 16 member of REAL Elshan Gasimov got arrested for 7 days. Togrul Ismayilov another member of REAL got arrested on the same day sentenced for 7days as well. They are being accused of not obeying Police. Police has stopped them by Icherisheher Police Station. When will government give people freedom of choice and freedom of speech?

Natiq Jafarli is the secretary of Organizational Issues of Real Movement. He was also one of the founders of REAL movement. He is a very educative pe rson and graduated from Azerbaijan Economic University. He also graduated from Europe School of Political Studies in France and US State Department Leadership Program. On August 13 he got arrested and been accused of illegal entrepeneurship activity. He is arrested for 4 monthes.

Channel ans closed Ans was one of the popular TV Channels in Azerbaijan.   It was a little different than other Azerbaijani channels which are praising Ilham Aliyev all day and never give any information abour political prisoners, rallies or demonstrations. On July 15 there was an attempt of coup in Turkish government and Fetullah Gulen was later accused by Turkey of organizing coup.   ANS had planned to take interview with Fetullah Gulen. The national Television and Radio Council of Azerbaijan have accused ANS tv channel of propaganda against Turkey and supporting Fetullah Gulen. Teacher at Baku State University in the field of journalism Zeynal Mammadli said “ The purpose to close ans channel is to restrict free media”

May 10 th is celebrated as former President Heydar Aliyev’s birthday. Millions of dollars are spent by government to bring flowers to Baku and decorate the city and celebrate this day as “Flower Holiday” 2 Azerbaijani activists Giyas Ibrahimov and Bayram Mammadov have painted slogan on Heydar Aliyev’s statue “Happy Slaves’ Day” and “Fuck the System” In Azerbaijani Language “ Gul” means flower but “qul’ means slave. The ministry of Interior have said “We have searched flats of Qiyas and Ibrahim and found 10 kilos of heroin in their flat” Lawyer Faiz Namazli said “ Activists are accused of drug trafficking because defacing a monument is not a punishable act” He has also mentioned that monument of Heydar Aliyev is not counted as cultural heritage. Its an ordinary monument and it does not have special importance for our country. Government could just give administrative punishment to the Youth. Bayram have written “   3 men pushed me to car and took me to po...

President signed pardon order Which political prisoners were released? According to pardon order in Azerbaijan some political prisoners were released. Lets read who are they and for how long they were arrested. President Ilham signed the order on 17 March. Axundov Rashadat- He still had   5 years in prison. Azizov Mammad- He had 4 years and 6 months in prison. Jafarov Rasul- He had 4 years and 6 months Hasanov Rashad- He had 4 years and 6 months Hashimov Parviz- He had 5 years and 6 months Xasmammadov Taleh- He had 1 year 11 months Karimli Siraj- He had 4 years 4 months Mammadli Anar- 3 years 3 months Mammadov Hilal- 1 year 6 months Mammadov Omar- 2 years 8 months Sadigov Yadigar- 3 years 3 months Yaqublu Tofig- 2 years 11 months Anar Mammadli- He had 3 years 3 months Journalist Khadija Ismayil have also been released. She was included to the list   of 100 famous women in the world chosen by BBC. Tofig Yaq...

People have started to do demonstrations in the following regions of Azerbaijan: -Lankaran, Siyazan, Agcabadi, Beylagan, Fizuli.   Executive power of Lankaran and Siyazan have approved information about demonstration in these regions.   But executive power of other regions   have denied the information about demonstration in their regions. Citizen from Agcabadi have said “ One person wanted to jump from the roof of house and suicide” Executive Secretary of New Azerbaijan party Siyavush Novruzov have said “The reason of demonstration is increase in costs and products” Siyazan region executive power Zafar Aliyev said “ People are protesting because of increase in cost of flour and other products” Citizens in Lankaran have tried to close the Alat-Astara road. More than 100 people have participated in rally. Police have mentioned “ We talked to people and they decided to stop the demonstration” But Lankaran resident have given interview to bbc Azerb...