Regnum, Russia
Oct 15 2005

Azerbaijani authorities prepared a special cell in prison for Rasul
Guliyev

Azerbaijani Prosecutor General Zakir Garalov commenting on a comeback
of a presidential candidate, the Democratic Party leader Rasul
Guliyev living in exile now said: `The reforms in the penitentiary
system of Azerbaijan have continued successfully, and conditions in
prisons in the country have been brought into line with the European
standards. We have assigned a special cell in Bailovsky jail that
meets all the standards required.’

`We have searched for Guliyev for several years, and the decision of
the court will be executed. I declare resolutely, that the opposition
has embarked on political speculations claiming that Guliyev is
supported by the US government. None of the states support Guliyev,’
continued Garalov. He also added that Azerbaijan is an independent
state, and its law enforcement agencies fulfill their duties by
themselves.

By the way, Garalov reminded, that on October 10, 2000 Sabail
District Court put Guliyev on wanted list and issued a warrant on his
arrest. Commenting on the plans of the opposition to stage a
ceremonial welcome for Guliyev in the airport, the prosecutor noted,
`the airport is a strategic object that is guarded particularly.’

In his opinion, `Ali Kerimli and Isa Gambar prepared a trap for
Guliyev, but they would be trapped in it by themselves.’ According to
Garalov, leaders of the National Front Party and `Musavat’ want to
use the comeback of Guliyev to destabilize the political situation.
`There is a direct evident they have carried out an unsuccessful
election campaign,’ believes the prosecutor. However, he thinks, the
plans of the opposition would not be put into practice, because the
law enforcement agencies would continue to secure social and
political stability in the region, and the elections would be held in
a fully democratic situation.

`Rasul Guliyev misappropriated the state money at sum of $110
million. In nine years he in collaboration with pro-Armenian forces
carried out subversive activities against th Azerbaijani state,’
Garalov said. He also promised that in case of an arrest all
Guliyev’s rights would be secured. Garalov also rejected a common
opinion that in case of an arrest Guliyev would be treated as a
political prisoner. `He cannot be considered as a political prisoner,
because he committed an economical crime,’ the prosecutor concluded.