AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

AZERBAIJAN: APPEAL CASES

15 March 2001(1); AI Index: EUR 55/003/2001; public

Vajif Hadjibeyli: opposition politician allegedly beaten by police

Photo: Vajif Hadjibeyli;

© Echo

Vajif Hadjibeyli is chair of the opposition Ehrar (Peasants') Party. When taking part in an attempted demonstration in Baku on 29 April 2000 he was reportedly detained and severely beaten by police.

It was further alleged that although suffering from concussion he did not receive prompt and appropriate medical attention after being taken into detention at the local police station; that he was not able to see his lawyer or telephone his family after being taken into detention; and that he was not given a pen and paper in order to make a written complaint.

The Prosecutor General told Amnesty International in July 2000 that a forensic medical examination had found light bodily injuries on Vajif Hadjibeyli, and that measures were being taken to determine those responsible.However, no results of any such measures have come to the attention of Amnesty International so far. The Prosecutor General also stated that Vajif Hadjibeyli had received timely and appropriate medical aid.

Vajif Hadjibeyli was sentenced to 10 days' administrative detention for "resisting the lawful demands of a police officer". Before the end of this term he was transferred from the Main Police Directorate to Bailov investigation isolation prison No. 1, after being charged with "resisting a police officer", but was subsequently released on bail.

Letters on behalf of Vajif Hadjibeyli

Please send politely worded letters in English, Russian, Azeri or your own language,

!expressing concern at reports that Vajif Hadjibeyli was severely beaten by police while being detained during the attempted demonstration on 29 April 2000 in Baku;

!expressing concern at reports that he did not receive prompt and appropriate medical attention after being taken into detention and that he was not able to see his lawyer or telephone his family after being taken into detention;

!stating that AI was informed by the Procurator General of Azerbaijan that measures had been taken to determine those responsible for the beatings. Urge the authorities to inform you of any further steps that were taken in this direction and of any findings of the investigation.In order to stress your point you can mention that a prompt, and impartial investigation with the results made public and those found responsible brought to justice would be in line with Azerbaijan’s commitments under the Convention against Torture (CAT; Articles 12, 13, 16) and with the commitment to "prosecute members of the law-enforcement bodies who have infringed human rights (particularly the prohibition of torture) in the course of their duties" (Opinion No. 222 (2000), iv. c) that Azerbaijan has to honour as a member of the Council of Europe.

Whom to write

President:

Heydar Alireza oglu ALIYEV

Azerbaydzhanskaya Respublika; 370066 g. Baku; ul. Istiqlal, 19; Prezidentu Azerbaydzhanskoy Respubliki; ALIYEVU H.A.; AZERBAIJAN

Fax: (994 12) 92 06 25;

e-mail: president@gov.az; root@liderv.baku.az

Salutation: Dear President Aliyev,Procurator General:

Zakir Bakir oglu GARALOV

Azerbaydzhanskaya Respublika;

370001 g. Baku; ul. Rafibeyli, 7; Respublikanskaya prokuratura;

Generalnomu prokuroru; GARALOV Z.; AZERBAIJAN

Fax: (994 12) 98 98 90; 93 00 20; 92 43 78

Salutation: Dear Procurator General,Minister of Internal Affairs:

Lieutenant-General Ramil USUBOV

Azerbaydzhanskaya Respublika;

370005 g. Baku;

ul. Gadzhiyeva, 7; Ministerstvo vnutrennikh del; Ministru USUBOVU R.

AZERBAIJAN

Fax: (994 12) 98 79 01

Salutation: Dear Minister,Procurator General of Baku:

Azerbaydzhanskaya Respublika;

g. Baku; Gorodskaya Prokuratura; Prokuroru; AZERBAIJAN

Salutation: Dear Procurator,

Send copies of your letters to the Ambassador of Azerbaijan to your country (if there is one)

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(1) Please use this "Appeal Case" sheet as the basis for your letter-writing until further notice.