Azeri ombudsman asks for “lenient punishment” for jailed Karabakh activists

Turan news agency
29 Jun 04

BAKU

Ombudsman Elmira Suleymanova has appealed to the Prosecutor-General’s
Office in connection with the protest staged by members of the
Karabakh Liberation Organization [KLO] outside Hotel Europe on 21
June.

She said in the appeal that the picket was not an act of hooliganism,
but a protest against Armenian servicemen’s arrival in Baku. Many
members of the KLO fought in Karabakh, lost their relatives and
friends, and suffered a severe psychological shock.

In this connection, the ombudsman asked the prosecutor-general to take
into account the mitigating circumstances and regard the deeds of the
detainees under articles stipulating lenient punishment.

Six members of the KLO have been arrested and criminal proceedings
have been instituted against them on charges of hooliganism and
violation of public order. They are accused of attempting to disrupt a
NATO conference at Hotel Europe.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress