Rights defenders criticize Azerbaijani authorities for arresting Mamedov

The re-arrest of Bairam Mamedov, an activist of the "Nida" movement, is an example of the government's intolerance of criticism, the Human Rights Watch (HRW) has stated. The Mamedov's arrest discredits the proclaimed the Azerbaijani authorities' course to reforms, Bashir Suleimanly, the head of the Institute of Civil Initiatives, believes.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Mamedov was arrested in Baku on March 30 under the article "Disobedience to policemen". He has stated that he was tortured.

The HRW links Mamedov's arrest with his interview with a local media outlet with criticism towards authorities.

Giorgi Gogiya, HRW's Deputy Director of HRW for Europe and Central Asia, has noted that Mamedov's new arrest "casts a shadow on the release of political prisoners in Azerbaijan."

According to Bairam, he was handcuffed; his legs were roped, and he spent almost 24 hours lying on the floor in the cell, with his face down; they beat him on his head and kicked him up.

"Many have treated the March pardoning of political prisoners as an authorities' goodwill, a sort of '"a thaw'. But two weeks later, Mamedov was re-arrested," Mr Suleimanly has stated.

On April 3, Elchin Sadygov, Bairam's advocate, was not let to visit his client; the reasons of this were not explained. Same was with Bairam's father, who wanted to give his son food and clothes.