The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your URGENT intervention in the following situation in Azerbaijan.

Brief Description of the Situation

The International Secretariat of OMCT has been informed by the Human Rights Centre of Azerbaijan, a member of the OMCT network, of the arrest of Mr. Ruslan Bashirli, head of the youth organisation Yeni Fikir ("New Idea").

According to the information, Mr. Ruslan Bashirli was arrested on August 3, 2005, on charges of plotting to overthrow the Azerbaijani leadership at the instigation of Armenian intelligence agents, with whom he allegedly met in Tbilisi on July 28 and 29, 2005. A criminal case under clause 278th of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan (actions directed to seizing or keeping the power by force) was brought against him by the Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan. If found guilty, he could face life imprisonment. According to the information received, Mr. Ruslan Bashirli was not able to meet with his lawyer, Mr. 'El'chin Gambarov, for two days after his arrest. Mr. Ruslan Bashirli is reportedly detained in an isolation cell of the Bayil remand prison, located in Baku city.

Furthermore, Mr. Ruslan Bashirli's family has been subjected to harassment. Mr. Ruslan Bashirli's father, Mr. Djalil Bashirli, was forced to leave his position as a schoolteacher. Moreover, his house, located in Zardob, was attacked by a mob who threw stones at his house. Mr. Ruslan Bashirli's uncle, Mr. Fuzuli Qasimov, senior tax inspector in the region of Goychay, was dismissed on August 8, 2005.

The International Secretariat of OMCT was also informed that Mr. Sarvan Sarhanov, a member of the youth organisation Yeni Fikir ("New Idea"), was called in for questioning on August 11, 2005. According to the information received, Mr. Sarvan Sarhanov was interrogated by three investigators - Mr. Ali Quliyev, Mr. Azer Amirov and Mr. Rahimov -, at the Department for Serious Criminal Cases of the Prosecutor office. He was beaten on the face and the back by investigating officers after refusing to give false testimony charging Mr. Ali Kerimli, chairman of the opposition party PNFA, and Mr. Qanimat Zahidov, of Azadliq newspaper. A fourth investigator reportedly threatened him to squash his fingers by means of pliers and to tear out one of his ears. Mr. Sarvan Sarhanov was eventually released without any charge on August 11, 2005. The Prosecutor Office confirmed Mr. Sarvan Sarhanov had been interviewed by investigators at the Prosecutor Office. However, it denied that Mr. Sarvan Sarhanov was subjected to any threats or ill-treatment.

The International Secretariat of OMCT is gravely concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Ruslan Bashirli and his family, as well as that of Mr. Sarvan Sarhanov.

OMCT is also concerned by the general climate of harassment against members of the youth organisation Yeni Fikir. For example, an activist of Yeni Fikir, Mr.Namiq Feyziyev, who studies at the Azerbaijan Pedagogical University was expelled from the university by order of the University's Rector, Mr. Bahlul Agayev, on June 22, 2005, for having missed lessons. Many youth associations protested, as Mr. Namiq Feyziyev had reportedly attended all lectures. Further to the intervention of the Ombudsman, Mr. Feyziyev returned to the University on July 6, 2005.

Action requested:

*We have additional information on this case. So please refer to the No. 3770 and take action according to that.

Geneva, 25th August 2005.