`We haven`t seen the same level of concern or principled statements  from U.S. and EU officials about Azerbaijan`s repression as we`ve  seen regarding Georgia - Ali Karimli

ArmInfo. Leader of The  Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA) Ali Karimli has posted the  following message on X: 

"We, the Azerbaijani opposition, fully support the Georgian people in  their fight for EU integration, free and fair elections, and  democracy. We share concerns about the Georgian government's rollback  of democratic progress and rising authoritarianism. Living under  authoritarianism ourselves, we deeply understand its anti-people,  anti-human nature.

"Alarmingly, political arrests have begun in Georgia: 28 activists  face charges, and police violently break up dwindling protests  nightly. From Azerbaijan, we've observed decisive responses from U.S.  and EU leaders. Sanctions are being imposed on officials from the  ruling "Georgian Dream" party, and American and European leaders  strongly condemn police violence, politically motivated arrests, and  election fraud.

"In Azerbaijan, however, the situation is far worse. Elections are  consistently rigged, peaceful assembly has been banned for over five  years, and the opposition faces relentless pressure. Nearly 50  activists from my own party (APFP) have been imprisoned for political  reasons, with 12 still behind bars. Civil society leaders and  independent media face severe repression: 30 journalists are  imprisoned, independent newspapers have been shut down, over 30  websites are blocked, and free TV and radio have disappeared.   Torture is widespread. Every institution-parliament, judiciary,  media, and economy-is tightly controlled by President Ilham Aliyev.

"Until two days ago, Azerbaijan had 320 political prisoners. This  number is now 330 following the arrests of six journalists from  Meydan TV-one of the last independent media outlets-and several civil  society activists.

"Yet we haven't seen the same level of concern or principled  statements from U.S. and EU officials about Azerbaijan's repression  as we've seen regarding Georgia.

"We understand Georgia has made far greater democratic strides and,  as an EU candidate and U.S. partner, has taken on additional  commitments. We also know the Georgian people are currently in the  streets, while in Azerbaijan, we've been forcibly confined to our  homes-or imprisoned. But we remember a time when authoritarianism in  Azerbaijan was less severe, and we too could take to the streets.  Today's disempowerment is the result of 21 years of systematic  repression under Ilham Aliyev.

"If Georgia's people do not receive strong international support,  their government may escalate arrests and violence, driving  protesters off the streets-just as the Azerbaijani government did to  us years ago. I sincerely hope Georgia avoids this fate. I do not  want the Georgian people to endure the same suffering under  authoritarianism that we have in Azerbaijan.

Ambassador Richard Kozlarich, former U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan  and a long-time advocate for democracy in our country, wrote: 'I am  watching how many of those who have spoken out about the oppression  in #Georgia will join in demanding that the #Azerbaijan regime  release these illegally detained individuals.'

"Ambassador Kozlarich is absolutely right. The repression in  Azerbaijan has gone far beyond any acceptable limits. The Azerbaijani  government is no longer just targeting opposition, civil society, and  independent media-it is systematically destroying every democratic  institution.

"Like Ambassador Kozlarich, we are closely watching how the world  responds-or remains silent-in the face of Azerbaijan's widespread  repression. Silence is not an option. We call on you to take strong,  decisive action."