Life of Vidadi Isgandarov, Human Rights Defender, is under threat!
Date: July 31, 2011
To: International Community
From: Ogtay Isgandarli, Chairman of the Committee for Protection of Rights of Vidadi Isgandarov
Subject: Life of Vidadi Isgandarov, Human Rights Defender, is under threat!
Prison condition of Vidadi Isgandarov is harsh and life threatening. Inadequate nutrition, lack of heating and ventilation, medical care, and degrading treatment is a serious problem for the health of Vidadi Isgandarov who is suffering from serious form of diabetes, heart failure and hypertonia. Harsh prison conditions resulted in numerous complications of disease of Vidadi Isgandarov. While in custody, Vidadi Isgandarov was taken many injections of unidentified origins.
The separation cell where Vidadi Isgandarov is being detained does not meet minimum standards. Food and sleep is denied to torture and force Vidadi Isgandarov to silence. He is held incommunicado.
Mansur Mammadov (close relative of Ziya Mammadov, Minister of Transportation of the Republic of Azerbaijan), Head of Goychay Executive Authority district has instructed and influenced to limit visits by attorney and family members of Vidadi Isgandarov.
Elkhan Suleymanov, the judge of Goychay district who is deciding the case of Vidadi Isgandarov does not function independently of the executive branch. The judge and Nariman Alakbarov who is the prosecutor have taken instructions from higher instances.
Prosecutors' privileges and rights outweigh those of the defense. The judge often shows preference to the prosecutor when assessing motions, oral statements, and evidence submitted by defense counsel.
The judge often simply ignores claims of police mistreatment. The judge generally requires only a minimal level of proof and collaborates closely with the prosecutor.
Fair public trial of Vidadi Igandarov is denied. There are no verbatim transcripts of judicial proceedings; testimony, oral arguments, and judicial decisions are not recorded. Instead the court officer generally takes notes that tended to be sparse and decides what, if anything, should be included in the notes.
Police continues to intimidate and harass those who are willing to participate in court proceeding, and the family members of Vidadi Isgandarov.
We call International Community, representatives of foreign embassies, independent media, and human right defenders to Goychay District Court to observe ongoing court proceeding of Vidadi Isgandarov, which is to be held on August 2, 2011 at 10:00 local time in Goychay district of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Regards,
Ogtay Isgandarli
Chairman of the Committee for Protection of Rights of Vidadi Isgandarov