Day: November 29, 2024
This week saw journalists from “AbzasMedia” exposing poor conditions and violations at Baku Detention Facility, while Alasgar Mammadli requested house arrest due to health issues, and the date for Azerbaijan’s municipal elections was announced for January 29, 2025.
Conditions and Violations at the Baku Detention Facility Revealed in Open Letter by Journalists
Three journalists from “AbzasMedia” – Sevinc Vaqifqızı, Nargiz Absalamova, and Elnara Qasımova – currently detained in Baku Detention Facility No. 1, have written an open letter exposing the poor conditions there. They describe overcrowding, with women forced to sleep on the floor or share beds, leading to injuries. They also highlight the lack of basic necessities, including proper bedding, clothing, and hygiene products, which are supposed to be provided by the state but are either missing or substandard.
The journalists also point out that the second floor of the facility, which holds 170 women, has several cells being used for non-prison purposes, such as punishment cells or kitchens for guards. Despite regulations requiring detainees to receive appropriate bedding and personal items, the women are only given poor-quality goods. The food provided is also criticized for being insufficient and of low quality.
Finally, the journalists report that detainees are not receiving the clothing and hygiene items mandated by government regulations. Although a contract was signed with a supplier for these products, they are either never delivered or go missing in the facility, raising questions about resource mismanagement and the handling of funds allocated for detainee care.
Alasgar Mammadli Unsuccesfully Requests House Arrest
Alasgar Mammadli, a media expert from “Toplum TV,” has been in detention for nine months and has appealed for house arrest due to serious health issues, including a thyroid tumor requiring urgent surgery. In his court statement, he emphasized the negative impact his detention has on his family, particularly his two children’s education and well-being.
Mammadli argued that house arrest would not interfere with the investigation and that he had legal grounds for the request. He noted his public service record and denied any intention to obstruct the legal process. However, the Baku City Police Department opposed the request, citing the risk of Mammadli fleeing or hindering the investigation. Judge Akhundov rejected the appeal.
Mammadli believes his detention is politically motivated, part of an effort to silence independent media. The case involves accusations of smuggling, with the detainees claiming the evidence against them was fabricated. His lawyers plan to appeal the court’s decision.
Azerbaijan goes to the polls again
Municipal elections in Azerbaijan have been scheduled for January 29, 2025, as announced by the Central Election Commission on November 27.
On October 18, 2024, the Milli Majlis (National Assembly) discussed a draft law to amend the “Law on Municipalities’ Territories and Lands,” reducing the number of municipalities from 1,400 to 685. This change was approved by the Milli Majlis and signed into law by President Ilham Aliyev on November 25.
Azerbaijan has held five municipal elections so far, in 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014, and 2019, with the most recent one on December 23, 2019. According to the Election Code, municipal elections are held every five years, typically in December. Some experts view the postponement of the 2025 elections as contrary to the law.
The post Azerbaijan’s Friday Wrap-Up: Parliamentary Election Date Set appeared first on MEYDAN.TV.
- Police, pro-EU Georgians clash for second night at protests over accession freeze Reuters
- Georgia protesters clash with police after EU membership talks suspended The Guardian
- Georgia detains more than 100 during anti-government protest Reuters
- Georgia: Thousands protest in Tbilisi after EU bid suspended BBC.com
- Georgian protesters clash with police for a second night after EU talks are suspended The Associated Press
- Georgia rocked by fierce protests after government puts EU hopes on ice CNN
- Protests Erupt in Georgia as It Pulls Back From Pro-Western Path The New York Times
- President Joins Protesters In Tbilisi As Georgia Shuns EU Accession Talks Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
- Second night of protests in Georgia against EU talks suspension Euronews
- Georgia protests: Thousands hit streets after government suspends EU bid BBC.com
- Georgian protesters clash with police for a second night after EU talks are suspended The Associated Press
- Thousands protest in Georgia after government suspends EU bid PBS NewsHour
- Georgia rocked by fierce protests after government puts EU hopes on ice CNN
- Protests Erupt in Georgia as It Pulls Back From Pro-Western Path The New York Times
- Protesters clash with Georgian police over government’s EU application delay Reuters
- Georgia protesters clash with police after EU membership talks suspended The Guardian
- Georgia protesters rally for second night after PM suspends EU talks Al Jazeera English
- Georgia: Pro-EU protests see dozens arrested DW (English)
This week saw journalists from “AbzasMedia” exposing poor conditions and violations at Baku Detention Facility, while Alasgar Mammadli requested house arrest due to health issues, and the date for Azerbaijan’s municipal elections was announced for January 29, 2025.
Conditions and Violations at the Baku Detention Facility Revealed in Open Letter by Journalists
Three journalists from “AbzasMedia” – Sevinc Vaqifqızı, Nargiz Absalamova, and Elnara Qasımova – currently detained in Baku Detention Facility No. 1, have written an open letter exposing the poor conditions there. They describe overcrowding, with women forced to sleep on the floor or share beds, leading to injuries. They also highlight the lack of basic necessities, including proper bedding, clothing, and hygiene products, which are supposed to be provided by the state but are either missing or substandard.
The journalists also point out that the second floor of the facility, which holds 170 women, has several cells being used for non-prison purposes, such as punishment cells or kitchens for guards. Despite regulations requiring detainees to receive appropriate bedding and personal items, the women are only given poor-quality goods. The food provided is also criticized for being insufficient and of low quality.
Finally, the journalists report that detainees are not receiving the clothing and hygiene items mandated by government regulations. Although a contract was signed with a supplier for these products, they are either never delivered or go missing in the facility, raising questions about resource mismanagement and the handling of funds allocated for detainee care.
Alasgar Mammadli Unsuccesfully Requests House Arrest
Alasgar Mammadli, a media expert from “Toplum TV,” has been in detention for nine months and has appealed for house arrest due to serious health issues, including a thyroid tumor requiring urgent surgery. In his court statement, he emphasized the negative impact his detention has on his family, particularly his two children’s education and well-being.
Mammadli argued that house arrest would not interfere with the investigation and that he had legal grounds for the request. He noted his public service record and denied any intention to obstruct the legal process. However, the Baku City Police Department opposed the request, citing the risk of Mammadli fleeing or hindering the investigation. Judge Akhundov rejected the appeal.
Mammadli believes his detention is politically motivated, part of an effort to silence independent media. The case involves accusations of smuggling, with the detainees claiming the evidence against them was fabricated. His lawyers plan to appeal the court’s decision.
Azerbaijan goes to the polls again
Municipal elections in Azerbaijan have been scheduled for January 29, 2025, as announced by the Central Election Commission on November 27.
On October 18, 2024, the Milli Majlis (National Assembly) discussed a draft law to amend the “Law on Municipalities’ Territories and Lands,” reducing the number of municipalities from 1,400 to 685. This change was approved by the Milli Majlis and signed into law by President Ilham Aliyev on November 25.
Azerbaijan has held five municipal elections so far, in 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014, and 2019, with the most recent one on December 23, 2019. According to the Election Code, municipal elections are held every five years, typically in December. Some experts view the postponement of the 2025 elections as contrary to the law.
The post Azerbaijan’s Friday Wrap-Up: Parliamentary Election Date Set appeared first on MEYDAN.TV.
On November 29, the U.S. Helsinki Commission Chairman Representative Joe Wilson (SC-02) and Ranking Member Representative Steve Cohen (TN-09) issued a statement, expressing their solidarity with the Georgian people “as they continue to peacefully protest to save their democracy and European future in the face of violent government repression.” At the same time, they declare the Georgian government “illegitimate.”
With the statement they “condemn” the “extreme violence” used against the demonstrators in Tbilisi, who took to the streets after the ruling Georgian Dream party’s announcement of suspending EU accession.
They note that “there is a compelling body of evidence showing that the Georgian Dream government manipulated the country’s October elections to preserve their grip on power and again deny the Georgian people’s unequivocal aspirations for Euro-Atlantic integration.” Wilson and Cohen declare the Georgian “de-facto government illegitimate,” because the GD approved it “amid a full opposition boycott and without presidential sanction, in contravention of Georgia’s constitution.”
“We stand with the Georgian people and call on both the current and incoming administrations to commit to supporting Georgians in their fight to restore democracy and freedom to their country. The U.S. State Department must take steps to punish those responsible for violating Georgians’ right to protest peacefully and elect their leaders,” concludes the statement.
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