Activist charged as Council of Europe urged to pressure Azerbaijan on political prisoners

Azerbaijaini political activist and blogger Zaur Gurbanli was detained by police on 29 September. Gurblani was part of the Sing For Democracy campaign, which drew attention to Azerbaijan’s human rights record during this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in the capital Baku.

After refusing to answer questions on the whereabouts of the Nida Civic Movement board member for two days, on 1 October the Ministry of Internal Affairs charged Gurbanli with possession of illegal documents.

Gurbanli joins up to 70 political prisoners in Azerbaijani jails.

Zaur Gurblani protesting in 2011 – IRFS

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