Pardon decree expected ahead of October 15 vote
Another pardon decree is expected ahead of Azerbaijan`s October 15
presidential election.
"We will finalize our work within ten days, submit the final list [of potential persons to be pardoned] to the president, and it is quite possible that a pardon decree will be signed before the elections," Vagif Samadoglu, a member of the Commission on Pardon under the President, said following a meeting on Friday.
President Ilham Aliyev enacted the latest pardon decree in March 2008. At that time, 58 prisoners were released and the sentence of another prisoner was cut in half by the decree.
Since 1995, 4,700 people have been set free as a result of 44 presidential pardon decrees in Azerbaijan.
Samadoglu said the release of three jailed journalists was possible. "If they have appealed for a pardon, the issue will be considered. I hope this matter will also find a positive solution," he said.
Of note, Ganimat Zahid, Azadlig newspaper editor and an employee of the publication, Mirza Sakit, and Eynulla Fatullayev, editor of Realny Azerbaijan and Gundalik Azerbaijan newspapers, remain in prison. Authorities reject allegations that the journalists were jailed due to their work.
"We will finalize our work within ten days, submit the final list [of potential persons to be pardoned] to the president, and it is quite possible that a pardon decree will be signed before the elections," Vagif Samadoglu, a member of the Commission on Pardon under the President, said following a meeting on Friday.
President Ilham Aliyev enacted the latest pardon decree in March 2008. At that time, 58 prisoners were released and the sentence of another prisoner was cut in half by the decree.
Since 1995, 4,700 people have been set free as a result of 44 presidential pardon decrees in Azerbaijan.
Samadoglu said the release of three jailed journalists was possible. "If they have appealed for a pardon, the issue will be considered. I hope this matter will also find a positive solution," he said.
Of note, Ganimat Zahid, Azadlig newspaper editor and an employee of the publication, Mirza Sakit, and Eynulla Fatullayev, editor of Realny Azerbaijan and Gundalik Azerbaijan newspapers, remain in prison. Authorities reject allegations that the journalists were jailed due to their work.
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