Judges came in pyjamas

“Natik was detained at 22.30 and brought to the Prosecutor General Serious Crimes Investigation Department office. Around midnight he was taken to the Court for Serious Crimes, and not too long afterwards, sentenced to 4 months  of detention, his lawyer Javal Javadli told JAMnews. “The judges wore pyjamas.

Natik Jafarli, prominent economist and member of the “ReAl political and civil movement Board, was arrested late during the night of August 12.

According to his lawyer, the economist and political activist was charged with illegal entrepreneurship (article 192.1) and an abuse of office causing serious damage, or meant to influence the outcome of elections or a referendum (article 308.2). “Such terms of detention are meant for serious crimes, while article 192.1 has been decriminalized. We are going to appeal to have the ruling repealed.

At the moment, Natik Jafarli is being held at pre-trial detention center №1 in Kurdakhani, his lawyer told reporters. He, along with other members of “ReAl, believe that Jafarli was arrested for political reasons.

“Natik is known for his critical posts on social media about corruption, the reasons for devaluation of the national currency, drop in oil prices, and it seems that this is the real reason for his arrest, Nigil Melikov, another “ReAl activist explained.

“The ReAl leader, Ilgar Mamedov, has already been in custody for almost four years, while Rasul Jafarov, another board member, has recently been released after three years in prison and  Natik Jafarly was arrested, ReAl board member Erkin Gadirly stated. “45,000 signatures were collected by the organization against the planned referendum. Natik’s arrest will boost support for ReAl.

“There are numerous reasons for the arrest, Rasul Jafarov claimed. “First, Natik was providing help to Ilgar in custody and was in charge of the most important ReAl projects. In addition to that, he was the author of critical publications on economic policies. And finally, the forthcoming referendum served as the main reason for his arrest. Natik is the leader of our anti-referendum campaign, which was initiated by the Central election commission. As for illegal entrepreneurship, the charge was brought a year ago, and the authorities have obviously hoped that Natik will stop these activities.

Ali Kerimli, the leader of the opposition party, PNFA, wrote on his Facebook, “I have no doubt that Natik was arrested for his political and civil activity. I consider it an act of political repression and demand his release.

“New Azerbaijan, the current ruling party, did not comment on the arrest. Previously the Foreign Ministry and Ali Gasanov, the presidential speaker had denied on numerous occasions that there are political prisoners in the country.

The news turned out to be of any interest only to politically active social networks users. Some sympathize with him, some joke gloomily, and rare people discuss the role of ReAl. This movement is becoming more well-known due to the arrests.

“It is obvious that ReAl was not known well enough after Ilgar`s arrest, and our beloved Natik should have been sent to prison to make it clear to everybody:
ReAl is the real alternative.
There will be no reforms, thus we should stay firm and wait for the crash that is to come.

“I have a Facebook account, and I am afraid it is a reason to charge me with illegal entrepreneurship and send me to prison.

“We have gotten used to the situation. We are aware that arrests and violence are inevitable under these circumstances. Unity is even more important now, and we should stay strong – that’s what we have to say to ReAl activists.

“ReAl is waging a campaign against the September, 26 referendum, meant to strengthen the president and strip society of its few remaining freedoms. Not once has Natik Jafarli spoken out against the proposed amendments.

Ilgar Mamedov, the leader of the movement, has already been in custody for 4 years. He is being charged with instigating unrest in the Ismailli district. Mamedov will remain in prison despite the European Court’s ruling. Amnesty International declared Mamedov a prisoner of conscience. Thorbjørn Jagland, the European Council General Secretary, condemned Azerbaijan for failing to implement this ruling.

Published on 14.08.2016