A working group on human rights, based in Baku says they are expecting President Aliyev sign pardon decrees shortly after the elections.
Saadet Bananyarli, human rights defender from the working group says while the group does not expect any such decisions to be made in the run up to the elections. However, they are expecting a different outcome after the parliamentary elections, which are scheduled to take place Nocember 1.
"The list we have put together consists of 27 names. It includes Tofig Yagublu, Ali Insanov, Leyla and Arif Yuns, Ilgar Mammadov, Intigam Aliyev and others", said Bananyarli in an interview with modern.az website.
Another member of the working group, Novella Jafaroglu said the group is expecting to hear an answer from the relevant authorities. "We have presented our list to the State Commission on Pardons. The Commission requested we sent the list again. Right now we are waiting", said Jafaroglu.
Local rights groups say Azerbaijan has over 80 political prisoners. Leyla Yunus, Rasul Jafarov, Khadija Ismayil were authors of the country's most recent list of political prisoner before they were arrested and subsequently sentenced.