President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has addressed the participants of the International Baku Forum on “Climate Change and Human Rights: the Role of Ombudsmen and National Human Rights Institutions.”
Day: October 2, 2024
“There is sufficient photo and video evidence in open sources and on the Internet of the inhumane acts committed by Armenia against Azerbaijanis during the First Karabakh War. Although some of those who committed war crimes and crimes against humanity are facing justice in Azerbaijan today, not a single person has been held to account for this in Armenia. On the contrary, they have been treated as heroes,” Azernews reports that President Ilham Aliyev said this in his letter to the participants of the international conference titled “Addressing the Issue of Missing Persons: Upholding Families’ Right to Know the Truth.”
On October 1, Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili visited Warsaw to participate in the Warsaw Security Forum and hold bilateral meetings with high-ranking European officials, including her Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda.
The President also held the bilateral meetings with Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Defenсe for European Integration, Oleksandr Balanutsa; Minister of State for Defence of United Kingdom, Lord Vernon Coaker; Special Advisor to the President and Senior Director for Europe at the U.S. National Security Council, Michael R. Carpenter; Vice President of the European Commission for Values and Transparency, Věra Jourová. During the meetings, the President discussed the pre-election environment in Georgia, the country’s EU integration process and the Georgian people’s aspirations for a European future.
WSF 2024 – President’s Panel
President Zurabishvili spoke at a high-level panel entitled Living in Pre-War Times? Key Lessons for European Security, where international journalist Hadley Gamble asked her to views on the upcoming elections in Georgia, as well as the war in Ukraine and its role in shaping Georgia’s future security.
To the question on whether the President believes that democratic values will prevail in Georgia during the elections, Zurabishvili stated that she is confident that Georgians who for many years have been “steadily supportive” towards the country’s European future, will prove that EU is where Georgia’s future lies and that there is no better alternative now.
“The elections that we are going to have on 26 of October are going to be determining, there are many forces that are at work against the will of the Georgian population, but I’m confident that our future is in Europe,” the President emphasized, adding that Georgia’s future is “also defended by Ukraine, as Ukraine is fighting for itself, for its independence, for Europe’s freedom, Ukraine is also fighting for our freedom…”
Continuing on this theme, the President also emphasized that the elections in Georgia, as well as the elections in Moldova and the outcome of the war in Ukraine, will determine not only the future of these individual countries, as well as Armenia’s European future, but also the future of Europe as a whole and critical issues such as security, cooperation and Black Sea connectivity.
In addition, Zurabishvili noted that what is currently at stake in the elections in Georgia is peace, because while Ukraine is experiencing Russia’s military aggression, Georgia is acting like the “other side of the coin” and is experiencing Russian hybrid warfare, propaganda, pressure and suppression, which is demonstrated by the “Russian law” passed by the ruling party, “which is now in action and tries to suppress the civil society, to restrict it. That’s what is at stake in the elections and again I think that by the elections the Georgian people will overcome these threats, which are very real, I cannot just minimize them…”.
Regarding the Russo-Georgian relations and how Georgia should proceed to act towards Russia, the President stressed that Georgians know from experience that “bowing down [to Russia] doesn’t bring peace.” However, she said that the ruling party is trying to do just that, as well as trying to “replicate Russian modus operandi” by putting pressure on the society through different methods and laws, knowing that they can’t achieve support in any other way.
About the possibility of Russian military attack on Georgia in the future, the President said that she can’t voice such a hypothesis, however suggesting that Putin’s regime can never be trusted. “…The strategy that Russia is using in Georgia is to use what has become a proxy, which are the Georgian [parliamentary] majority, the Georgian Dream has become really a proxy for Russian interest. So, that means that their immediate strategy is not a military one, I think that Ukraine is enough for them…” said President Zurabishvili.
When asked if there was a plan of action if Putin really decided to attack Georgia in the near future, the president stated that “there is no plan,” emphasizing that Georgia is not like Ukraine and doesn’t have the same capabilities, so if Putin were to attack, “that will be another crisis for you [Europe].”
The journalist also asked President Zurabishvili about U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump’s claims that he would negotiate with Putin to end the war in Ukraine “at any cost” after his election victory, to which she replied that “there is no peace at any cost…”, peace can only come when Russia recognizes that it is a country with borders, respects its borders and its neighbors’ -“that is lasting peace.”
Finally, the President noted that what Georgia needs now from Europe to overcome the difficulties in the country is moral support and a lot of election observers, so that Georgians never feel alone and isolated from the West.
Briefing of the Presidents of Georgia and Poland
Following the bilateral meeting between the Polish and Georgian counterparts, Salome Zurabishvili and Andrzej Duda held a joint briefing for the media.
President Zurabishvili emphasised that Georgia has always felt Poland’s support for its EU aspirations and thanked Poland for being Georgia’s “great friend”. She noted that her visit to Warsaw coincided with a very difficult period in the history of Europe and Georgia, as the two-and-a-half-year war in Ukraine, Poland’s neighbour, is still ongoing.
“Both Europe and America know very well, but we Georgians also know that Ukraine is fighting not only for its own independence, sovereignty, freedom and peace, but also for everyone – for Europe as a whole, and among them, for us, for all the countries that are Russia’s neighbors and that have already experienced Russia’s aggression,” noted the Georgian President.
She stressed that peace in Europe can only be disturbed by Russia, as no European country has ever started a war against each other. She also mentioned the importance of the current situation in Georgia, saying that Georgia’s future is “one of the most important components of Europe’s regional stability and security.”
“As I mentioned, today is a turning point for Georgia and its future. Georgia is preparing to hold historic elections. On October 26, the Georgian people will make a choice between the European future and the Russian past. This is practically a referendum, and I am sure that the Georgian people, as in the past (all those moments when a decisive choice had to be made), will make their own choice in favor of a peaceful and independent European future,” highlighted Zurabishvili.
She also reiterated that at this important moment, it is crucial for Georgians to feel European moral support and to receive as many international election observers as possible “to ensure that the elections are held in a free, fair and, above all, peaceful environment”. She expressed the hope that after the elections Georgia will return to its European path, implement all necessary reforms and achieve EU accession negotiations during the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The Georgian President was also asked about Georgia’s aspirations to join NATO, to which she emphasized that Euro-Atlantic integration is enshrined in the country’s Constitution, but the process has been halted by decisions such as the adoption of the Russian law and the refusal to reform the High Council of Justice, expressing hope that this process will be resumed after the elections.
Polish President Andrzej Duda thanked Salome Zurabishvili for her visit to Poland and noted that during their meeting they discussed regional issues in the Caucasus, the war in Ukraine and its impact on the security of Poland and Georgia, as well as the situation in Georgia. He stressed that Georgian territories have been occupied by Russia since 2008 and reiterated his support for Georgia’s integration into the EU, stressing that the will of the people should be met by a democratic government that will carry out the necessary reforms to join the EU.
President Duda noted that the recently adopted law on Foreign Agents is perceived by the European side as an attempt by political forces to limit civil society organizations and their democratic aspirations. He expressed his hope that Georgia will soon join the EU, stressing that this depends on the outcome of the elections. President Duda concluded by acknowledging President Zurabishvili’s efforts to ensure Georgia’s democratic development and thanked her again for her visit.
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The Baydemirli case – arrests in Azerbaijan
In Azerbaijan, a former MP, Nazim Baydemirli, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for extortion. Recognized as a political prisoner by local and international human rights advocates, he maintains his innocence and asserts that he is being punished for defending the rights of residents in the village of Soyudlu in the Gedabek district, where mass protests occurred last June.
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Eight years in prison and compensation of 49,740 manats
In the Baku Serious Crimes Court, a verdict was read for former deputy and entrepreneur Nazim Baydemirli.
In his speech, lawyer Agil Laidj stated that “Baydemirli’s guilt regarding the extortion charge was not proven. None of the defense’s motions were satisfied, and no evidence of guilt was presented.” He referred to the case against Baydemirli as “legal terror.”
The defense also pointed out that Baydemirli is a well-known scholar, economist, and former parliament member. He requested the court to acquit Baydemirli.
Baydemirli himself linked the criminal case to his support for public protests in the village of Soyudlu in the Gedabek district against environmental pollution by a gold mining company. Meanwhile, state television and pro-government media labeled him as the “organizer of the protests.”
“During the events in Soyudlu, I made statements to the media. I was not close to the government or the opposition; I was an independent economist. The videos circulated about the events in Soyudlu were unpleasant. It’s wrong to gas or beat elderly people. The police are a state authority in Azerbaijan; I never made provocative speeches. Even without the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ knowledge, I was presented on AzTV as an organizer. What guilt have I carried all these months?” he questioned during the trial.
At the same time, Baydemirli does not consider his arrest a “political order.”
“Despite all this, I did not perceive this arrest as a political order. The term ‘political prisoner’ is accepted by local and international institutions. This list is used as pressure on our country. I do not like having my name on it. But I am grateful to everyone who supported me.
I want to be acquitted; I do not want compensation from the state. If someone disagreed with an article I wrote, it does not mean that I acted against the state. I forgive them all,” he said.
Baydemirli also described his 15 months of detention as “moral torture.” He believes he is completely innocent and asked the court to acquit him.
However, the court sentenced the former deputy to eight years in prison and ordered him to pay the victim compensation of 49,740 manats (around $29,250).
Two weeks ago, the prosecutor proposed sentencing the ex-deputy to nine years in prison.
“Baydemirli allegedly extorted money in 1996 in Lipetsk”
Baydemirli was detained on July 4, 2023, by the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Organized Crime Unit on charges under Article 182.2.4 (extortion by threats for the purpose of acquiring property) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan.
The following day, the court ordered his arrest for four months. Baydemirli rejected the charges, calling them “fabricated.”
On September 1, 2023, another charge was brought against Baydemirli under Article 182.2.2 (extortion by threats committed repeatedly) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan. According to the lawyer, this charge is based on the allegation that Baydemirli extorted money from someone in Lipetsk, Russian Federation, in 1996.
Disorderly conduct or blackmail?
Initially, information circulated on social media about Baydemirli’s detention by the Organized Crime Unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs as a suspect in organizing protests by local residents in the village of Soyudlu in the Gedabek district.
Later, the Ministry’s press service issued an official statement saying that Baydemirli was detained based on a report from a citizen.
“The citizen reported to the police that Nazim Baydemirli was blackmailing him by threatening to release his embarrassing images and demanding 50,000 manats (around $29,400). Although he gave Baydemirli 10,000 manats (around $5,800) on June 14 this year, Baydemirli continued to blackmail the complainant and his family for non-payment of the remaining amount,” the press service stated.
Human rights advocates, who view the former deputy’s arrest as political, note that he was detained “because he defended the protests of local residents regarding the gold mine in the village of Soyudlu in the Gedabek district.”
What happened in Soyudlu?
On June 20-21, 2023, local residents in the village of Soyudlu in the Gedabek district protested against the construction of a new artificial lake for discharging wastewater from the nearby Gedabek gold mine.
According to villagers, the environment has been severely harmed due to years of gold mining operations. The air is polluted with cyanide gas, which poses health risks to the population. Locals argue that building a second artificial lake for toxic waste on grazing lands will worsen the situation.
Police used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the protest. Reports indicate that about 10 residents were injured during the clashes, and approximately 10 individuals were arrested on various charges.
Since June 22, access to and from the village has been restricted by police for outsiders.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau removed the status of “political actor with declared electoral objectives” from Transparency International-Georgia, a watchdog and key election observer, one day after the Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze requested it.
“Taking into account the interests of the country, I consider it necessary to use my discretion and cancel all decisions regarding TI-Georgia and [its director] Eka Gigauri, according to which the organization and Eka Gigauri were obliged to make transparent the funds spent in political processes and to inform society about it,” said Razhden Kuprashvili, the head of the Anti-Corruption Bureau at the special briefing on October 2.
The move came after PM Irakli Kobakhidze urged the Bureau to reverse its earlier decision to declare TI-Georgia a “political actor” for its voter mobilization efforts. Kobakhidze maintained the decision of the Bureau was “legally completely correct” and “justified” however, citing the interest of the state and the need to avoid external interference in the electoral process “by foreign actors”, “the first signs of which have already appeared,” he said he believes it would be correct to withdraw this status from TI-Georgia.
His request came a day after TI-Georgia announced that it would no longer be able to monitor the elections because of the label it had received from the Anti-Corruption Bureau.
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The Anti-Corruption Bureau thus followed the Prime Minister’s instructions, but like him, it slammed the watchdog, accusing it of being “non-transparent.”
“It is sad that the organization whose name is associated with transparency turned out to be the first that refused to be transparent and instead chose to attack the principle of the rule of law,” Kuprashvili said, adding, “This organization, just like another non-governmental organization, does not want to reveal to society for what purpose tens of millions of laris are being spent, while they themselves are trying to be above the law.”
He also said that if TI-Georgia had disclosed its financial statements, “it would have become clear to society how the whole set of processes for forming public opinion was managed.” He added: “In the case of transparency, it would be clear what financial interests are behind the statements made in the international arena, including about the suspension of visa liberalization for the country.”
The head of the Anti-Corruption Bureau used the briefing to attack civil society as a whole: “Their activities are hidden and not transparent. They act in silence and not with pride,” Kuprashvili said of the watchdogs, adding, “Their expenses are not disclosed, which threatens the right of citizens to make informed decisions.
Razhden Kuprashvili claimed that his office, which is widely seen as lacking independence from government influence, serves transparency, the rule of law and the right of citizens to make informed decisions. He also claimed that the office’s decisions are justified by “the highest standards” and are based on the practice of the European Court of Human Rights.
Although the Foreign Agents Law has not yet been used in practice by the authorities, it appears that the Anti-Corruption Bureau has instead emerged as a tool in the hands of the government to curb civil society. In addition to TI-Georgia, the Bureau has previously declared the Vote for Europe movement a “political actor with declared electoral objectives”.
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The participants of the International Baku Forum of Ombudsmen on the theme “Climate Change and Human Rights: The Role of Ombudsmen and National Human Rights Institutions,” organized at the initiative of the Human Rights Commissioner (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan and with the support of the Azerbaijani government, visited the Alley of Honor and the Alley of Martyrs, Azernews reports.
