Ogtay Gulaliyev
Ogtay Gulaliyev | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Azerbaijani |
| Occupation | human rights activist |
| Organization | Kur Civic Society |
| Known for | 2012 imprisonment |
Ogtay Gulaliyev is an Azerbaijani human rights activist. His organization, Kur Civic Society, provides assistance for people affected by environmental disasters.[1][2]
In April 2012, he was arrested during a meeting in Sabirabad Rayon. Initially charged with "swearing in a public place", the charges were later upgraded to "active resistance to authorities' legal orders" and "incitement to mass riots and to violence against citizens".[3] Gulaliyev later stated that while in custody, he was beaten by police officers. On 2 May, a prison doctor recommended surgery for a problem with Gulaliyev's intestines; when Gulaliyev requested that his personal doctor be allowed to be present, prison officials refused permission for the surgery.[4]
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe called his case "arbitrary detention and judicial harassment".[1] The International Federation for Human Rights and World Organisation Against Torture began a letter-writing campaign on his behalf, calling on authorities to immediately release Gulaliyev and impartially investigate his allegations of torture.[3] Front Line Defenders also condemned the charges against him.[4] Amnesty International designated him a prisoner of conscience, "targeted in response to his work as a human rights defender".[5] Human Rights Watch dismissed the charges against him as "spurious".[6]
Gulaliyev was released on 13 June 2012.[7]
References
- ^ a b "PACE: the human rights defenders must be protected". The Times. 28 June 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
- ^ "Civic Activist Ogtay Gulaliyev Faces New Criminal Charges On the Day He Was to Be Released From Jail". Azeri Report. 20 April 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
- ^ a b "Azerbaijan: Arbitrary detention of Mr. Ogtay Gulaliyev". International Federation for Human Rights. 26 April 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
- ^ a b "Azerbaijan: Fears for human rights defender Ogtay Gulaliyev, as his detention and ill-treatment continue". Front Line Defenders. 8 June 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
- ^ "Azerbaijan: Authorities determined to silence dissent to ensure successful Eurovision" (PDF). Amnesty International. 1 May 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
- ^ "Azerbaijan: Reporter Sentenced on Spurious Charges". Human Rights Watch. 12 June 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
- ^ "Les co-rapporteurs de l'APCE feront leur rapport jusqu'à la fin de cette année". apa.az. 13 June 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2012.