Democracy For Azerbaijan

Chairman of Azerbaijan Popular Front Party Ali Karimli said “Gozal was my last deputy who was not arrested” On may 25 Gozal have been detained on border of Georgia and Azerbaijan. State Border Service said that they have found 12.000 US Dollars in his pocket. They are accusing him on smuggling. Leader of Azerbaijan front party Ali Karimli thinks that her arrest is political order.

Afgan Mukhtarli is an Azerbaijan investigate journalist who was living in Georgia. On 29 th of May his wife has reported of him missing. Afgan Mukhtarli and his wife has asked for asylum from Georgian government in 2015 because they were afraid for their safety due to   Afgan’s investugations about corruption of Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev. Lawyer of Afgan Mukhtarli have spoken to him and said “ Afgan Mukhtarli was abducted in Tbilisi by plain men who spoke Georgian.   The men tied him took into the car and brought him to the border of Azerbaijan and Tbilisi. Afgan Mukhtarli has told that when they were crossing the border, these men had put 10.000 euros into his pockets so Azerbaijani police could blame him of smuggling. His wife said “Afgan is arrested because of his posts anti-Azerbaijan government. HRW:   Afgan had escaped from Azerbaijan government to Georgia to find safety but it seems that he was not enough far from Azerbaijani government. Gro...

Mehman Huseynov is famous Azerbaijani blogger and journalist.   He was always participating in rallies and taking pictures and posting on social pages. I had a chance to meet him In person in rally on 12 October 2013 in person. I remember Mehman holding his camera still remaining positive with a smile on his face. Mehman is also human rights defender. He has documented corruption practices in Azerbaijan. He is also editor in chief in Sancaq which is famous among Azerbaijani people on Facebook and youtube. He got arrested on 3 March and sentenced to 2 years in prison.

Wife of Azerbaijan President Mehriban Aliyeva is vice president now Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev has appointed his wife as vice president. It means If he dies Mehriban can take over his responsibilities as a president. New changing in constitution is just tightening Aliyev’s power in our country. Before Mehriban Aliyeva was first lady of Azerbaijan. Vice president position has been established after changes in constitution which was introduced in 2016’s referendum. Aliyevs are thinking of new ways of turning Azerbaijan into monarchy. They have been in power since 1993. People have no freedom. When people want to stand for their rights they are arrested and accused of smuggling, drugs and hooliganism.

Ilgar Mammadov still remains in prison 4 years have passed after the arrest of Ilgar Mammadov. Despite European Court of Human Rights repeated calls to Azerbaijani government to set Ilgar Mammadov free Azerbaijani authourities have refused to free Ilgar Mammadov. Prison administration allows him to meet only lawyers and family members.   His close associates cannot meet with him and have not had chance to speak him since 4 years. Ilgar Mammadov has been activist since his student years.   He was one of the first people who organized protest   before Azerbaijani delegation in Moscow after Black January. I have never had chance to meet him in person. But I have always found him inspiring and brave person who is not afraid to fight for the rights of Azerbaijani people. I believe if he had chance to be selected for presidency Mr.Ilgar would improve our country. Even though Mr. Ilgar does not have hope to be included to pardon order of Ilham Aliyev me...