Relatives of Ali Karimli, leader of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), have stated that he is not receiving parcels while in pretrial detention. Azadeh Rojkhan, PACE General Rapporteur on Political Prisoners, called on the Azerbaijani authorities to review the charges against Karimli and ensure that his rights are respected during the investigation.
Rojkhan expressed deep concern over the politician's arrest on charges of attempting to seize power, calling it the latest manifestation of a worrying trend of suppressing political dissent in Azerbaijan. She noted that the ECHR had previously ruled in favor of Karimli twice and called on the authorities to ensure that the criminal case complies with Azerbaijan's obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights.
Ali Karimli is a defendant in the case against former head of the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Ramiz Mehdiyev, whom investigators believe was involved in an attempted coup. The PFPA denies all accusations, calling them politically motivated.
