A Facebook page was launched yesterday in support of all those detained. Its being updated regularly.
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Here is Khadija Ismayil's story of her own detention:
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And here is the chronology of events (thanks to Khadija Ismayil's update on Facebook):
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Here is Khadija Ismayil's story of her own detention:
I tried to be as detailed as possible. Sorry if it is too boring
DETENTION
You know from videos how and where this happened. I was among protesters (not as a journalist) in Sahil park next to ruling party headquarter and Sahil Metro station. I was already silent, as most of the protesters were dispersed. The group of the police attacked just to take me (in fact couple of friends heard them receiving an order to take me and warned). I was screaming asking who they are, as they never introduced themselves and what they want. They carried me towards the car, and they didn't allow me to get into car myself. They just pushed me into the car. I was on the floor of the cabin for some time, while they pushed two more people to the car (there was one guy - Zaur Orujov, blogger from Sumgayit - already there when I was pushed). As there was no place to move inside the cabin, car moved to deliver us to police station.
POLICE CAR
There were only three seats. I was on the floor and couldn't move in order not to harm myself in the roughly moving car, due to the stomack operation I recently had, I have to be very careful with movements.
Aynur Imranova, the lady, who was pushed to the car after me asked the police to stop the car, so we could settle inside. They had to stop the car anyway because of the traffic jam and I could stand and sit on the seat. Turkel Rustamkhanli, the last one who was pushed inside, remained sitting on the floor.
SPECIAL TREATMENT
The first destination was Khatai Police station's Detention facility. People there were polite to us, gave chairs and water. All cameras were full. I saw a girl Zeyneb Rzayeva from Nida and Ilkin Rustamzade there. Police officer came to write a protocol. While we were in the middle of identifying who I am and where I live, I was summoned to the police station next door with words "Reis chagirir" - The chief wants to see her. With full understanding of "reis"'s interest to my personality I followed the order and was taken to the next door building - the police station itself. There was no "reis" though - not that I am disappointed, but there should have been a point in separating me from others. The same officer started writing an "Explanation" on my behalf. He wrote all my details, and I told him that if I am supposed to write this paper, I can do it myself, especially given that he was making too many grammar mistakes. He said he will write the form and I will write my answers to his question.
The question was, what I was doing the time and place of detention, what was a purpose of my appearance there.
EXPLANATION -ACCUSATION
I wrote that I was protesting use of excessive force against civilian, non violent people. The force was used by plain cloth people and uniformed men, who never introduced themselves, never explained why they are dispersing people. I was informing the police officers that they have to defend the law, not the corrupt officials and they should serve people of Azerbaijan, not the bunch of oligarchs.
I also told that their children will be ashamed of them, because they don't help to build order in the society. In fact these people, who supposed to enforce law, violate laws and COnstitution, thus corrupting society and making it difficult to live in for their own children as well. Every time, when their children will suffer from problems in education, they have to remember that these people, whom they screwed for protests, in fact cared for their children;s right for education. Every time when their mothers get wrong diagnosis from fake doctor, who bought his diploma from Medical University, or wrong treatment because of the counterfeight medicines, they have to remember these young guys, who protest on behalf of all children and all mothers, in order to stop this bizarre. Instead, they use force against those activists, and this is wrong. Not only from moral point of view, but also legally. IT IS ILLEGAL.
I wrote that as good citizen I informed police about their duties and I am happy that I did it. But the police used force against me. And I hope they will be punished for that. I was asked again why I was in Sahil park. I said I stopped there while I was heading to participate in the demonstration in Fountains Square. I was going to participate, because I consider it wrong when government uses force against it's citizens. I consider it wrong, when corruption and mismanagement on high level enjoys impunity, while people who protest these crimes get punished. So I wanted to be there, to raise my voice against violence, and to support my ccompatriots in Ismayilli, who are under huge government's pressure today. 43 While I was wrting, policeman was reporting on the phone, that 43 people were brought to the station, and they managed to protocol identity of 8 of them so far. Then they decided that Khatai police is not good to keep me, they took me to Sabail police. On the way to Sabail I wrote in Facebook and responded several phone calls.
IN SABAIL POLICE
They took my telephone right away. Around 18-19 guys were in the cage across the corridor there. Then about 10 of them were taken somewhere. Ilkin Rustamzade was also in Sabail now. There was also the guy, whose name was Orkhan Jarchiyev. I didn't recognize all names. In the section where they put me, there were four women: Kamala Bananyarli, whose arm was injured, Mardana, who was released soon, Kamilla Ahmedova and Gozel Bayramli.
Policemen were polite. We - women were shortening time composing poem about Ilham Aliyev's family corruption and discussing news about demolition of the Heydar Aliyev's statue in Mexico.
PROTOCOL ARGUMENT
They started composing a protocol again. I said I am not going to write an explanation and sign the protocol before seeing my lawyer. I wrote this note in the protocol.
Then Kamal Valishov, the deputy chief of Sabail district court, summoned me to his room and demanded that I answer the questions, I said no. We had argument, he raised his voice and said, I will have to wait several days otherwise. I said I will not write anything or answer questions before the lawyer comes and he has no right to keep me. It is illegal. I told him that I know my rights, he has no right to put pressure on me for that. He gave up. In the evening (we didn't know what time it was), they took me and Gozal Bayramli to Sabail district court in the back of the police car. There were several activists there including Nihad from Popular Front and Elshan Hasanov - former prisoner of conscious from Musavat Party and Turkel Azerturk - the Popular Front member who was fined for participation in January 12 protest against soldier mortality.
COMEDY
The trial was a comedy. I entered the room where two men were sitting on the defense's place. I asked who they are and the judge said they are my lawyers. I said I don't know these people, I don't trust them and I refuse. I want my own lawyers. I didn't know that in fact my lawyers were outside of the building and were not allowed in. Judge said I can't have my own lawyer as they are not here. I said if they give me my phone, which was illegally seized in Sabail police, they will be here soon. Judge ignored and continued the comedy trial. He said there is a report by police about me, participating in rally in the Fountains Square. I said that report is fake, as I was not in Fountains Square today. I was detained in the Sahil Park. Sahil Park was not the designated rally place. Judge asked the lawyer Vagif Mammadov, whom I rejected about his opinion. I protested, that the judge should not involve the person, whom I didn't agree to accept. Judge ignored and continued. The lawyer said the case should be closed as I was not in the place they claimed I was. Judge went to consultation. He returned late. By that time my lawyers Elchin Sadigov and Fariz Namazov made their way to the court room. When he came the judge announced that I am being fined 400 AZN as I am guilty of violating the clause 298.2 of the Law On the Freedom Of Assembly.
Then I got out. I am not going to pay, as the judge's decision was illegal.
And here is the chronology of events (thanks to Khadija Ismayil's update on Facebook):
Some initial footage from today's protest in Baku.
1 comment:
WOw this is in Baku? This is very sad.......praying for a peaceful resolution.
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