2023-07-11 07:15:29
Imprisoned political activist Bakhtiyar Hajiyev condemned the arrest of economist Nazim Beydamirli and the removal of lawyer Elchin Sadigov from the Collegium.
His brother Vugar Hajiyev informed about this.
He said that Bakhtiyar Hajiyev spoke to him on the phone and condemned what happened:
“I condemn the arrest of former deputy Nazim Beydamirli, and consider it a continuation of the widespread repressive policy. Bey Nazim is an intellectual, a person who always shows a clear position on socio-political problems, an economist who justly and fundamentally criticizes the socio-economic policy of the government. I demand the freedom of Beydamirli and all political prisoners.”
“At the same time, I condemn the dismissal of my lawyer, Elchin Sadigov, who tirelessly defends human rights and provides quality legal services to political and conscience prisoners in a violent regime. This attitude of the authorities towards Mr. Elchin, who always publicized the cases of torture, inhuman treatment, and degrading behavior, is a repressive response to his professional advocacy. And these cases indicate not the strength of the state, but its weakness,” said Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, according to his brother.
Bakhtiyar Hajiyev’s arrest
Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, who has been in prison since December 9, 2022, is charged with articles 221.2.2 (hooliganism by resisting a person performing the duty of protecting public order) and 289.1 (contempt of court) of the Criminal Code.
In the criminal case against Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, the conversation is about a scandal between a social activist and journalist Ulviyya Alovlu.
Bakhtiyar Hajiyev has been complaining to the police for a long time, demanding that Ulviyya Alovlu be brought to criminal responsibility. Some time ago, a video of what happened during the trial between Bakhtiyar Hajiyev and Ulviyya Alovlu in the Yasamal District Court was circulated on social networks.
In those images, Bakhtiyar Hajiyev throws the documents in his hand on the table. It is claimed that the public activist is accused of hooliganism and contempt of court precisely because of this. However, Bakhtiyar Hajiyev claimed that the Minister of Interior Vilayat Eyvazov was arrested by order. From time to time, he criticized Vilayat Eyvazov and the activities of the ministry on his social media accounts.
He said that in April 2022, he was abducted by unknown persons in the center of the capital and subjected to violence.
Although a criminal case has been initiated, the perpetrators have not been found yet.
The arrest of Nazim Beydamirli…
Nazim Beydamirli was detained on July 4.
When he talked to his lawyer, he said that he was detained because of what happened in the village of Soyudlu. The former deputy said that he was taken to the Main Organized Crime Department (“Bandotdel”) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA).
The Ministry of Internal Affairs claims that Nazim Beydamirli was detained on the basis of a complaint for demanding money by blackmail.
Zeyni Huseynov, head of the Ministry’s Press Service, told Meydan TV that Nazim Beydamirli was involved in the investigation based on a citizen’s request: “The citizen applied to the police and stated that Nazim Beydamirli had shameful images about him and demanded 50,000 manats from him. Although he paid 10,000 manats to Nazim Beydamirli on June 24, he blackmailed the complainant and his family and said that he would spread shameful images because he did not pay the remaining amount. Currently, Nazim Beydamirli is detained based on this request. Investigations are ongoing.”
The Narimanov Court chose Nazim Beydamirli as preventive measure for 4 months.
Willow incident
On June 20, a protest against the creation of an artificial lake from the waters of a gold deposit began in the territory of Soyudlu village of Gadabey district. More than 10 villagers and a person suspected of organizing the event were detained. Among those detained are those charged with drug addiction.
On June 22, the access of people other than residents to Soyudlu village of Gadabay was restricted.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) cited the provision of public order and public security as the reason.
The residents of the village say that the real reason is the protest they did on June 20-21, they want to keep them under control.
Residents of Soyudlu village protested the construction of a second artificial lake for gold mines near their houses for two days in a row.
Residents said that the second water basin to be created in their village is full of chemicals, which is harmful to health.
According to them, these water basins are built in their fields of cultivation and grazing. This damages crops, fruits, trees and people’s health.
The residents of Soyudli protested with the same complaints before. Residents say that in 2012, a lake formed from the waste of a gold mine was built near their village.
After that, they said that there were no fruits left in their gardens, and their bee farms were destroyed. Residents are also worried that the lake water will mix with drinking water, fearing the resulting diseases.
The Cabinet of Ministers says that a commission has been established on the issue. The commission is made up of government officials and does not include independent experts. The authorities dress up the event as a provocation, local media publish materials with the same content, and independent media covering the event are targeted.
Nazim Beydamirli was targeted by government media for criticizing the company for what happened. Therefore, he filed a lawsuit against “Yeni Musavat” website, Azerbaijan State Television and deputy Elman Nasirov.
Pressure on Elchin Sadigov…
On July 6, the Presidium of the Bar Association made a decision to appeal to the court to suspend the activity of lawyer Elchin Sadigov and expel him from the membership of the Bar Association.
The Bar Association expelled Sadigov based on the complaint of journalist Eynulla Fatillayev.
Sadigov is mainly known for defending people’s rights in criminal cases related to media freedom, human rights and torture in the country.
Sadigov said that the decision of the Presidium of the Bar Association is political.
Arqument.az
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