Man down (Updated)

The soccer player Cavid Huseynov will be spending his time on the bench until there is thorough investigation into his role in the murder of Rasim Aliyev.

Huseynov's cousin, is detained.

Police claims they know the identities of others involved in the beating.

At least this time police is doing something, or is pretending to do something. Or is the sudden "progress" is the result of public outcry? After all, we have seen this happen before. Not so long ago, just few months back with the fire that killed 15 people in Baku, it was the outcry on social media platforms first that made the government "really" look into the case. Not that it did much but at least it pretended to. So its pretending to do something now too.

It is a matter of time for us to see what this pretending will all come down to...

In the meantime, RIP Rasim.

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Rasim had no idea an invitation "to talk over a misunderstanding" will end so tragically. For him. He was beaten, threatened before. He was an independent journalist working in Azerbaijan, what can you expect after all?! Of course these were the norms, the usual part of the package that came when one signed up to be an independent journalist in a country like Azerbaijan.

Rasim died at the age of 31 this morning at a hospital. He died because someone miscalculated their strength and beat him "too much", "too tough", for far too long. But surely they had no intention of killing him. At least this is what the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Prosecutor Office claims. In their official statement they say it was "intentional infliction of body harm, resulting in death". No one seems to mention that Rasim's murderers stole his wallet, his phone. No one counts the fact that the man died after all and that surely someone who calls you swearing at you in the first place and then invites you "to talk it over" wont have the best intentions in mind? 

No, these are not the questions asked. Because who cares about yet another journalists' life end abruptly? Before his time! Before all the things he could do in his life?  

So far, neither the soccer player, nor the cousin who called and swore at Rasim and then invited him for tea have come forward or said anything. Will they come forward or are they shitting their pants? Or perhaps they are not shitting their pants because they will never be caught and most likely someone else will face the court and get a sentence? 

The truth is Rasim died. Because he was allowed to get beaten and murdered. Because this is what Azerbaijan has become. Lack of education, lack of rule of law, lack of justice and transparency, brutality and aggression - its safe haven for criminals, thugs, to do what they like and that includes government representatives too by the way.

Who knows who will be next...

And then there was no one left...

One by one the government is coming after its outspoken critics. One by one...

Today, Azerbaijan's Sabail District Court sentenced, the country's prominent investigative journalist and brave critic of the government Khadija Ismayil. 

If convicted, Khadija is facing anything between three to seven years. She is charged with Article 125 of the Criminal Code (incitement to suicide commitment). 

Yesterday, in some kind of a tribute to Russia, country's god father, Ramiz Mehdiyev accused Khadija of treason, calling her and people like her spies working for the west. 

Many voices have been silenced in Azerbaijan. 

There are over 90 political prisoners. 

The government is gradually ticking off the list of people it doesn't like either through intimidation, smear, humiliation, and arrest. 

There are not that many people left. 

If this is the pace of things, then soon there wont be anyone left. And this is what the Azerbaijani government is trying to do. To silence, to destroy and get rid of any such voices. 

So far, they are winning...

Antidote for repression- a new platform in the making

Back when Azerbaijan was the host of the cheesy pop song contest Eurovision, a campaign launched in support of democracy in Azerbaijan quickly built up attention around key human rights and freedom of expression issues that were skillfully covered by millions of euros poured into the "Light Your Fire" Eurovision campaign. The thick and high facades that unfortunately have become the "building blocks" of the so- called "democratic" government of Azerbaijan were challenged by an unusual rival- art. The launched campaign- "Sing for Democracy" had one goal- to inform contestants and the visitors of what kind of country they were actually coming to.

It was a successful initiative and needless to say, certainly not a popular one with the local authorities. But that didn't stop its founders- the Human Rights Club and its partner organizations the Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety and the Center for National and International Studies. Since the situation in Azerbaijan only deteriorates in this sphere, the spin off- Art for Democracy is continuing to fight for the cause. But it needs your help! As the initiative describes itself, "we are offering an antidote" and their focus is on art as its a very powerful tool in fighting repression.

Art for Democracy website - for human rights in Azerbaijan from epitype on Vimeo.

So please help! We would highly appreciate any contributions! There is no contribution too little, there is no contribution too big :)

Azerbaijan, the Oriental shame of the Caucasus

Perhaps the title rings a bell? 

Perhaps you have never seen this tourism ad titled "Azerbaijan, the European charm of the Orient"? 

Well now you know all about it. In fact, many readers of this blog are aware by now that Azerbaijan is no charm when it comes to its regime and the style of power- the dynasty of the orient even perhaps.

And the fact that Azerbaijani authorities refuse to accept any of the international criticisms and concerns only proves that there are deep scars that the government desperately tries to cover up like plastic surgeons do. Except in this case, its a very badly done plastic job (think boob job gone bad type of bad). 

There have been many reports, statements, petitions, signed, sealed, voiced and advocated for when it comes to the situation in Azerbaijan- poor (if not terrible) record of human rights, arrested activists, journalists, advocates; and more recently targeted youth, young members of existing political parties and movements and dirty media campaigns against well respected journalists. There have been many evaluations of the regime too- authoritarian, dictatorial, sultanistic, and more recently fascist. 

And as it is with many dictatorships around the world, in Azerbaijan nothing changes. So when the ruling party announced Ilham Aliyev as their candidate to run in the upcoming October Presidential elections, at least what they could have done is show some respect towards others- but behold, thats not part of the language they talk. So comments about other candidates were blatant if not silly to some extent. But then again, brains is another contested matter over there.

But none of this was the point of this post. I wanted to share with a you a timely video prepared by the Human Rights Watch highlight some of the most recent cases. You can also read their full 106page report, "Tightening the screws: Azerbaijan's Crackdown on Civil Society and Dissent.

I guess the odds will never be in the favor of Azerbaijani people. Not in these elections to say the least. Perhaps a charming oriental miracle?

'Sex and blackmail in Azerbaijan'

Hear more about corruption, blackmail and repressive Aliyev family in this video by Al Jazeera Stream.

It blew me away when the representative of official Azerbaijan said "let it go" while referring to Khadija Ismayilova's case. I wonder if she would have said the same if a similar sex tape and scandal surrounded her and her life.

I will stop here and let you make your own decision.

Ali Hasanov all fired up

Google images

My first reaction to this article was "wait a sec... this can't be true... its a joke". Unfortunately it wasn't. Ali Hasanov, head of the social political department at the Presidential Administration said some things today that were simply unbelievable (not that he has ever said things that made sense before). It was a fired speech he gave nonetheless. For instance his toughest reaction was to human rights organizations as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and Freedom House. Why? Well because they speak the truth and truth is one thing Azerbaijani authorities do not like. In fact, its a word erased from their vocabulary a long time ago. 

What Mr. Hasanov and the rest of the Azerbaijani authoritarian leadership fails to see is that the moment they change and adopt true values of democracy (or step down and let democracy take over) none of these institutions are going to rank Azerbaijai at its lowest. But hey, who am I talking about?! 

But the statement of the day was when Ali Hasanov actually said "Nowhere in the world the opposition is not as free as in Azerbaijan". Did he actually say that? I guess he did. I mean "Hello?!" where do you live Mr. Hasanov? Certainly not in a country where recent and previous protests were crashed and protesters arrested? 

European Parliament was also given its share of dragony fire. "Let them look at themselves, let them look at the crisis in the Eastern Europe" he said.

Oh, and Mr. Hasanov, perhaps you missed a big chunk of news and information about the Arab Uprisings. It wasn't caused by "multinational TV channels" but by firstly a young man who was sick of his government and set himself on fire. Unless "multinational TV channels" have some extraordinary powers of remotely setting people on fire you are so oblivious that its just funny and makes you look funny too. So you don't care about Azerbaijani people and their well being, at least have the decency not trash all those Tunisians, Egyptians, Libyans and many more who managed to change their governments and though still in the process, ensure that they no longer will be oppressed, tortured, silenced, arrested and simply ignored by their governments.

Your blindness Mr. Hasanov is just sickening. When will you stop and open your eyes and say something that will remotely resemble truth...

'Democracy is a motor that needs maintenance'

A video interview with Arjen de Wolff, a friend and colleague who is currently with the Persian language media institute Radio Zamaneh based in Amsterdam. He talks of Azerbaijan, its human rights record, political freedoms and democracy. 

Eurovision, running scared when the music dies

This is my latest piece written for Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso on this year's Eurovision host Azerbaijan. The original article can be accessed here.

Eurovision Running Scared When the Music Dies

Azerbaijan on Channel 4

UK's Channel 4 prepared this report about Azerbaijan, this year's host of Eurovision song contest. I have just one small comment- Jamal was arrested in March 2012 not 2009. Other than that well done!

Eurovision 2012- what you see and don't see

This is my most recent storify story on Eurovision and Azerbaijan. More updates to come soon.

"Spotlight on Azerbaijan"

This a recent report (May 12, 2012) published by the Foreign Policy Center on Azerbaijan, the country's pressing human rights record, corruption, rule of law, freedom of expression and more. 

 

Spotlight on Azerbaijan

Idrak Abbasov- another journalist attacked and severaly beaten

Here is an image showing journalist Idrak Abbasov beaten today and who is currently hospitalized for his injuries. His attackers are free, probably looking for their new pray. 

Photo source

Ironically today was the day Idrak Abbasov received the Guardian journalism prize at the Index on Censorship free expression award.

The reason for his attack- simple and straightforward. He was doing something that wasn't pleasing to the employees and representatives of the State Oil Company (SOCAR). His attack is only one of the many and those to come in Azerbaijan, a country where democracy and freedom prospers on daily basis if you listen to some of the official statements.

This is a perfect example of prospering freedom in this case- anyone could basically beat up anyone- that is the notion and understanding of freedom...

***
OSCE just issued a statement regarding the beating. Read the full statement here.