Today it is impossible to imagine Azerbaijan without repressive measures, harassment, violence and intimidation aimed at suppressing freedom of speech against social and political activists. This was reported by human rights activist and co-founder of the Defense Line organization Rufat Safarov.
According to Safarov, any criticism of a representative of the Azerbaijani government or expression of a different thought leads to administrative and criminal arrests. This became especially noticeable after the military operations in Karabakh, which increased the popularity of the authorities, which led to abuses against dissenters and critics.
The human rights activist drew attention to the recent trend of repression against believers. In particular, the fact that several people were arrested on charges of promoting the creation of the Karim state. However, no evidence of their anti-state and separatist actions has been presented. Accusations, according to Safarov, should lead to imprisonment only if they are supported by irrefutable evidence.
