Azerbaijani president amnesties 66 inmates, including political prisoners
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 22 June 2012 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Azerbaijani president amnesties 66 inmates, including political prisoners, 22 June 2012, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/4ff6aa342.html [accessed 20 June 2013] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
June 22, 2012
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree pardoning 66 prisoners, including nine men regarded by rights activists as political prisoners.
The freed inmates include the deputy head of the opposition Musavat party Arif Hajili.
All nine were convicted of participating in opposition rallies in April 2011 and received prison sentences ranging from two to three years at a trial in October.
The other released opposition figures are: Tural Abbasli, Zulfugar Eyvazli, Rufat Hajibeyli, Babak Hasanov, Sahib Kerimov, Ulvi Guliyev, Majid Mammadli, and Ahad Mammadli.
Two other people detained and jailed on the same charges remain in jail.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called for jailed opposition figures to be released while visiting Azerbaijan earlier this month.
With additional reporting by Interfax
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
