10 April 2020, 10:39
Two oppositional activists arrested in Azerbaijan
Vafadar Aliev, a member of the Movement for Democracy and Welfare (MDW), and Ruslan Amirov, an activist of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), were arrested for 30 days. The opposition has condemned the arrests in the face of the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
Ruslan Amirov was detained at the hospital, where he brought his young child for examination.
"The quarantine regime itself is used illegally to restrict citizens' travels, as the state of emergency has not been introduced in the country," said Gezyal Bairamly, a PFPA deputy chair.
Also on Thursday, the court sentenced Shakir Mamedli, a MDW member, to 30 days of arrest for "disobeying the police."
"The whole world is fighting the coronavirus, while the Azerbaijani authorities are punishing independent people ... Vafadar Aliev, Shakir Mamedli, Tofig Yagublu and other activists should be released," said Gubad Ibadoglu, the MDW leader.
Samir Kazymly, the coordinator of the Alliance for the Defence of Political Freedoms, believes that "politically motivated arrests amid the coronavirus pandemic defy any logic."
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on April 9, 2020 at 10:49 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Author: Faik Medjid Source: CK correspondent
