Nakhchivan

On January 6th, the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Justice Ministry Penitentiary Service denied human rights defenders Elman Abbasov, Malahat Nasibova, and Ilgar Nasibov the right to visit imprisoned Azerbaijan Popular front Party (APFP) activist Zeynalabdin Baghirzada.
“It is impossible for you to meet Baghirzada. Because, only family members and public committee members are allowed to meet him. Other journalists and NGOs are not allowed to meet him. You are not  members of Public Committee. Relevant institutions have already met Zeynalabdin Baghirzada. Everything is normal there,” was the answer delivered by an employee of the Penitentiary Service.

Elman Abbasov expressed his opinion regarding the abortive visit: “Everybody recognizes human rights defenders working in Nakhchivan. Real human rights defenders are not allowed to meet with Bagirzade. Persons who are allowed to visit Bagirzade are persons who are close to the authorities.” He also added that multiple human rights violations have occurred in Nakhchivan, and in November the brothers, Yashar Bagirsoy and Zeynalabdin Bagirzade, were subjected to torture in the Babek District Police Department.

“Where were those human rights defenders then? Whose rights do they protect? They have never given any information about persons whose rights are violated. These people who call themselves human rights defenders are not recognized as human rights defenders in Nakhchivan. They disseminate press releases by taking our articles on violations of human rights from our site. They are engaged in deceiving international organizations, donor organizations, and the public in accordance with the wishes of the authorities,” emphasized Abbasov.



Background

On December 26th, Judge Mehman Dunyamaliyev of Nakhchivan City Court sentenced Azerbaijan Popular Front Party member Zeynalabdin Bagirzada to three months of pre-trial detention. He had been charged under the Article 310 (misappropriating authority) and the Article 178.3.2 (fraud causing serious damage) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The charges were filed by the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic General Prosecutor.