Front Line is concerned following reports received about the harassment of the family of human rights defender Akifa Aliyeva, in particular of her husband Nusrat Aliyev. Akifa Aliyeva is Coordinator of the Ganja branch of the Helsinki Citizens' Assembly of Azerbaijan, an organisation which protects human rights, promotes democracy in the region, and peace-building in the Southern Caucasus. Front Line previously wrote to you in relation to the harassment of human rights defender Javid Aliyev, Akifa Aliyeva's son, on 25 April 2007.
Further Information
Posted 30/07/2008 Akifa Aliyeva has been involved in the defence of a member of the Ukrainian minority in Azerbaijan, who had been scheduled to stand trial on murder charges which were allegedly fabricated. Following the involvement of Akifa Aliyeva and Helsinki Citizens' Assembly and the Ganja branch of Transparency Azerbaijan, these charges were withdrawn by authorities and replaced by recalcitrance (disobedience). Reports indicate that Akifa Aliyeva had previously been threatened that if she continued her involvement in the case, her husband would be arrested, and that the authorities told her it would be very easy to arrange his arrest and detention.
Subsequently, following Akifa Aliyeva's continued work on the case, at the beginning of July a criminal case was filed against her husband Nusrat Aliyev (article 128 of the criminal code of Azerbaijan) for the alleged assault of Akifa Aliyeva's brother, who is known to be disabled and vulnerable. On 24 July 2008, Nusrat Aliyev, who is also in ill-health, was reportedly ordered to pay criminal damages and may yet face trial in connection with the allegedly fabricated charges.
Front Line believes that the harassment of Nusrat Aliyev is directly related to his wife's peaceful and legitimate activities in defence of human rights. In view of reports of repeated harassment of the Aliyev family and the ill-health of Nusrat Aliyev, Front Line expresses its serious concern for the physical and psychological integrity of Akifa Aliyeva and Nusrat and Javid Aliyev.