REAL Demands Release Of Ilgar Mamedov

Baku. Civil Movement "Republican Alternative"
(REAL) held an event today in the office of the Institute for Reporters Freedom
and Safety (IRFS), dedicated to the birthday of the leader of the opposition
group Ilgar Mamedov. Today he turns 43 and will marks it in jail.

Members of REAL, friends of Mamedov, human
rights activists and youth activists attended the event.  Mamedov was arrested on 4th February in
connection with the unrest in Ismailly on 23rd-24th January. At first, he was
charged under articles 233 (organization of actions aimed at disturbing public
order or participate in them) and 315.2 (resisting police by force, threatening
the lives and health). Subsequently, Article 233 has been replaced by a more
severe - 220.1 (organization of mass disorders accompanied by arson).  Local and international human rights
organizations recognize Ilgar Mamedov as a political prisoner. The European
Court of Human Rights accepted the extraordinary review of a complaint on his
illegal arrest and began to communicate with the government of Azerbaijan.

The European Parliament adopted a
resolution on 13th June in connection with the case of Mammadov, which
condemned the arrest and called for an immediate transparent and fair
investigation of the charges against him.

               REAL
committee did not create rights. However, many competent defenders are involved
in the organization of activities in defense of their rights both in Azerbaijan
and abroad. Currently T- shirts are being sold with the image of Ilgar Mamedov.
The money raised from the sale will focus on the problems of the family of
Ilgar Mamedov," said the executive secretary of REAL, Natig Jaafarli.

According to him, REAL has also created a
campaign headquarters for Mammadov, the nominated candidate for the presidency
of the country.

                The headquarters is working on an evaluation
instrument for dealing with voters in the regions.

 REAL also will present the software
pre-election document on these days.

"The program will set out the
country's problems, their solutions and the organization of the political
system," said Jaafarli.  Lawyer
Khalid Bagirov said that Mamedov is in good health and is in a pragmatic mood.
He believes the charges are baseless.

               "The
whole world knows that Ilgar Mamedov was arrested by a political order. This
was confirmed once again in the resolution adopted by the European Parliament,
which ironically demanded his immediate and unconditional release," said
the lawyer Bagirov.

"Azerbaijan is not Belarus.
Azerbaijani officials go skiing in the Swiss Alps, hold events in Paris, Italy,
and have business bank accounts in Europe. Therefore, sanctions against
officials, law enforcement officers and judges will have an effect. Mamedov
also raised this issue," said the activist of REAL Zohrab Ismail.

In anticipation of the visit of Ilham
Aliyev to Brussels they decided to send a message to the heads of EU.