Azerbaijan: defence challenges arrest of CEM&DT head

The advocates of Anar Mamedli, the head of the Centre for Election Monitoring and Democracy Training (CEM&DT), who was arrested on December 17 in Baku, have filed an appeal against placing the activist into custody.

"We treat the decision to arrest Anar Mamedli as unreasonable and unlawful. The court motivated its decision by saying that Mamedli could 'evade investigation and commit new crimes.' These arguments are untenable," said Rashid Gadjili, one of the advocates.

The lawyer has explained that "in the civilized world defendants are not subjected to pre-trial detention on charges of economic crimes."

The Amnesty International (AI) has urged the Azerbaijani authorities to "ensure a prompt and fair trial of Anar Mamedli."

"For many years, Anar Mamedli has been defended democratic norms and human rights in spite of the constant pressure from the authorities, who tried to shut up him and his colleagues. For the Azerbaijani civil society, his arrest is an alarming signal, which is enhancing the atmosphere of self-censorship and fear," said Denis Krivosheev, the deputy director of the AI for Europe and Asia.