Council of Europe warns Azerbaijan to release imprisoned political leader News
Council of Europe warns Azerbaijan to release imprisoned political leader

[JURIST] The Council of European’s Committee of Ministers [official website] on Wednesday issued an interim resolution [text] formally notifying Azerbaijan that it must release opposition political leader Ilgar Mammadov [advocacy profile] or face legal action.

Mammadov was arrested on February 4, 2013, and sentenced to seven years in prison on charges of resisting arrest and organizing mass disorder after criticizing the Azerbaijan government’s handling of protests occurring around the country at that time.

After his conviction, Mammadov appealed to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) [official website] who heard the matter in 2014. The ECHR concluded [decision] that the conviction violated the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (the Convention) [text] and commanded that Azerbaijan unconditionally release Mammadov. Azerbaijan has yet to comply with the court’s order.

The interim resolution states that, under the Convention, Azerbaijan is compelled to abide by the final determinations of the ECHR. After allowing three years to pass since the court’s determination without releasing Mammadov, the Committee is now providing formal notice of its intention to submit to the ECHR the question of whether Azerbaijan has failed to comply with its treat obligations.

Azerbaijan has until November 29 to provide the Committee with its view on their compliance with the ECHR ruling.

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