Radical group members’ arrest sparks public concern

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Sept 2 2004

Baku, September 1, AssA-Irada

The Nasimi district court’s decision to sentence six activists of the
Garabagh Liberation Organization (GLO) to 3 to 5 years in jail has
sparked the public concern. MPs also expressed their concerns over
the imprisonment of the radical group members at the first meeting
of the parliament’s fall session on Wednesday.

Zahid Oruj said that while adopting a decision on imprisonment,
the judge of the court has not taken into account the fact that the
Azerbaijani lands are currently under occupation. He called on the
parliament not to remain indifferent to the matter.

Alimammad Nuriyev noted that the court’s decision is illegal.

Jahangir Huseynov underlined that 20 MPs have sent an inquiry to the
Prosecutor General’s Office concerning the arrest of GLO members but
have not received any reply yet. He stressed that two of the three
accusations laid on the radical group members are unlawful.

Zeynab Khanlarova, in her turn, demanded release for the arrested
and called on her counterparts to unveil their standpoints towards
the issue.

“I also protested against the arrival of Armenians in Baku,” said
Speaker Alasgarov, underlining that the parliament has no authority
to express attitude to court rulings. MP Ali Karimli, chairman of the
Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA) assessed the imprisonment
of GLO members as insult against those who love Garabagh and have
fought for its liberation. The PFPA will continue struggle for the
release of the arrested members of the radical group, he stressed.

The intellectuals and politicians in their interviews with TV channels
and press assessed the arrest of the GLO members as disrespect to
the public.*