As the world turns its attention to Azerbaijan for the Eurovision Song Contest, police crack down on dissent.
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A 24-year-old Azerbaijani musician who says he was tortured by police after he insulted the country’s president during a concert has fled to Germany over concerns for his safety. Jamal Ali had criticised President Ilham Aliyev and his late mother during the concert in Baku in March, and was charged with hooliganism after an argument with the concert’s organisers. He and two other musicians were sentenced to 10 days’ detention, during which time Ali claims he was tortured. His escape comes just days before the Eurovision song contest, due to be held in the former Soviet country on 26 May.
As the Eurovision Song Contest hits our screens next week, Index calls on the expected 125 million viewers not to ignore the human rights abuses – against journalists, artists, activists – that the Azerbaijan government presides over
An Azerbaijani activist who was sentenced to two years in prison following demonstrations in Baku last year, has been released before completing his jail term. Elnur Majidli, an opposition activist, was charged with disturbing public order after his involvement in protests that took place on 3 April last year. Majidli made a formal request to be released, and in a hearing on 15 May was granted release. In an interview with an opposition newspaper, Majidli said his release was “unexpected”.