Azerbaijani oppositionist Adilov denied CER

The court in Baku has denied the conditional early relief (CER) to Murad Adilov, an activist of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA). He does not agree with the decision of the court and will appeal against it, said Natig Adilov, his brother.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Murad Adilov, detained in August 2014, was convicted on May 14, 2015, to six years in prison on charges of possessing drugs. His defence intends to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).

Natig Adilov, who is in political emigration, is a columnist for the "Azadlyg" newspaper and a presenter of the television programme "Azerbaijani Hour", which is broadcast via a satellite. He has repeatedly criticized the authorities in the media and social networks. He has associated the criminal prosecution of his brother with Murad's professional and oppositional activities; and after his brother's arrest, Natig left Azerbaijan.

"My brother has already spent four years in jail out of six years of his sentence on an absolutely fabricated charge. Unfortunately, the court has once again executed a political order," said Natig Adilov, adding that "those who rule this country, have no law, no conscience, and no mercy."

Also, Natig Adilov has expressed dissatisfaction with the weak international support for his brother.

"The Amnesty International (AI) has recognized Murad as a 'prisoner of conscience'. But other international structures have never applied for the release of my brother," he has stated.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on September 6, 2018 at 04:57 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.