Chistoph Strasser "I'm extremely concerned" [GERM]:
Norwegian Helsinki Committee and the Civil Solidarity Platform Call to Suspend Azerbaijan's membership at the Council of Europe
On Friday 5 December, another prominent civil society figure was arrested in Azerbaijan as a Baku court authorized investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova's pre-trial detention for two months on bogus charges of "inciting suicide". This shows that there is no end to the assault on independent voices by the government of this oil rich country and provides further proof of its disregard for founding values of the Council of Europe and its obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights. Norwegian Helsinki Committee and the Civil Solidarity Platform calls for the supsension of Azerbaijan for the Council of Europe in a statement Saturday 6 December.
Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security policy statement on the arrest of Khadija Ismayilova:
"The arrest of investigative journalist Ms Khadija Ismayilova by the Azerbaijan authorities last Friday, and her commitment to pre-trial detention on a charge of 'incitement to suicide', is a step against the freedom of expression, key to any democratic society.
Azerbaijan needs to stand fully by its international commitments, as a member of the OSCE and the Council of Europe, to ensure the freedom of the press. The EU will closely follow developments in Ms Ismayilova's case."
Elmira Ismayilova calls charges against her daughter "absurd"
Since her daughter’s arrest four days ago Elmira Ismayilova haven't seen Khadija. But this morning, the two were able to talk over the phone. “I am happy to hear her voice” said Elmira Ismayilova in an interview with Azadliq radio.
But Elmira Ismayilova, mother of two, is concerned about her daughter’s health despite her high spirits. Khadija underwent a surgery last year and has dietary restrictions.
Her mother says food parcels were refused at the prison. “They are saying we can bring food only once a week. This is dangerous for her health […] I’m worried because of this”, said Elmira Ismayilova.
To the question if she was expecting Khadija face prison terms on the charge of “incitement to suicide” rather than a number of other outstanding charges against her daughter, Elmira Ismayilova said she wasn’t. “This is all a big lie. Everyone knows this. Khadija herself wasn’t expecting it. They wanted to make a traitor out of her but failed so they found this man to use against her.
“I have no expectations of this government. I don’t think Khadija will go on trial with this charge. Because it is absurd”.
