The South Caucasus Network of Human Rights Defenders
Azerbaijan: Young blogger, Adnan Hajizade Released
[18.11.2010]
On 18th of November, in the morning, in a surprise decision, the Baku Appeal Court issued a ruling on the release of blogger Adnan Hajizade, who has been sentenced to 2 years of imprisonment since June 2007 on contraversial hooliganism charges.
The Appeal Court decision envisages conditional release of Hajizade, who has served almost more than the half of the jail term.
The surprise desicion is being assessed in political opposition circles of Baku as the government's attempt to lessen the international criticism on the fraudulent parliamentary elections of 7 November, which have been severely criticised by the international observers. The marred electoral process saw the landslide victory of the ruling party with the total absence of political opposition in the toothless parliament of Azerbaijan.
The surprise desicion is being assessed in political opposition circles of Baku as the government's attempt to lessen the international criticism on the fraudulent parliamentary elections of 7 November, which have been severely criticised by the international observers. The marred electoral process saw the landslide victory of the ruling party with the total absence of political opposition in the toothless parliament of Azerbaijan.
With Hajizade released, another blogger Emin Milli and editor Eynulla Fatullayev still remain behind the bars on charges that have been tagged as politically motivated indictments and the authorities' broader campaign to silence the dissent.
The South Caucasus Network of Human Rights Defenders has also actively supported the capaign in support of Adnan and Emin. The statement for their support was issued in the name of Azerbaijani, Armenian and Georgian members of the Network.
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