Ogtay Gulaliyev

Ogtay Gulaliyev
Nationality Azerbaijani
Occupation human rights activist
Organization Kur Civic Society
Known for 2012 imprisonment

Ogtay Gulaliyev is an Azerbaijani human rights activist. His organization, Kur Civic Society, provides assistance for people affected by environmental disasters.[1][2]

In April 2012, he was arrested during a meeting in Sabirabad Rayon. Initially charged with "swearing in a public place", the charges were later upgraded to "active resistance to authorities' legal orders" and "incitement to mass riots and to violence against citizens".[3] Gulaliyev later stated that while in custody, he was beaten by police officers. On 2 May, a prison doctor recommended surgery for a problem with Gulaliyev's intestines; when Gulaliyev requested that his personal doctor be allowed to be present, prison officials refused permission for the surgery.[4]

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe called his case "arbitrary detention and judicial harassment".[1] The International Federation for Human Rights and World Organisation Against Torture began a letter-writing campaign on his behalf, calling on authorities to immediately release Gulaliyev and impartially investigate his allegations of torture.[3] Front Line Defenders also condemned the charges against him.[4] Amnesty International designated him a prisoner of conscience, "targeted in response to his work as a human rights defender".[5] Human Rights Watch dismissed the charges against him as "spurious".[6]

Gulaliyev was released on 13 June 2012.[7]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "PACE: the human rights defenders must be protected". The Times. 28 June 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
  2. ↑ "Civic Activist Ogtay Gulaliyev Faces New Criminal Charges On the Day He Was to Be Released From Jail". Azeri Report. 20 April 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Azerbaijan: Arbitrary detention of Mr. Ogtay Gulaliyev". International Federation for Human Rights. 26 April 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Azerbaijan: Fears for human rights defender Ogtay Gulaliyev, as his detention and ill-treatment continue". Front Line Defenders. 8 June 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
  5. ↑ "Azerbaijan: Authorities determined to silence dissent to ensure successful Eurovision". Amnesty International. 1 May 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
  6. ↑ "Azerbaijan: Reporter Sentenced on Spurious Charges". Human Rights Watch. 12 June 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
  7. ↑ "Les co-rapporteurs de l’APCE feront leur rapport jusqu’à la fin de cette année". apa.az. 13 June 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2012.