A court in Azerbaijan has upheld the pre-trial detention of prominent human rights lawyer Intigam Aliyev, who faces at least three months in custody. He was arrested on charges including illegal commercial activity, tax evasion and abuse of power.
Similar charges have been brought against other prominent activists in the oil-rich country in recent weeks, prompting concerns about an intensified crackdown on government critics. Since 30 July, four human rights activists known for their work with international organisations have been detained.
Political analyst Azer Gasimli said the main reason for the rapid arrests was a comprehensive report on political prisoners that was leaked last week. "The authorities clearly didn't want such a list to be published, and decided to persecute and eventually arrest them," he told the BBC.
Giorgi Gogia of Human Rights Watch speculated that the arrests may be linked to Baku hosting the first European Games in less than a year. "It is much easier to silence critics now, rather than wait and do it on the eve of the mega event," he said.
The Azerbaijani government rejects the allegations, arguing that the activists head non-governmental organisations that fail to observe the law. MP Aydin Mirzazadeh of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party said "everyone is equal before the law" and that the activists are being prosecuted for illegal activity rather than political beliefs.
Meanwhile, another prominent NGO leader, Emin Huseynov, has been missing for almost a week since his office was searched and sealed. His brother Mehman, an internationally published photojournalist, is also unaccounted for. Azerbaijan has faced international criticism over its human rights record and the contested re-election of President Ilham Aliyev in October.
