Oppositionist Elkhan Aliev re-detained after being released from custody

Elkhan Aliev, an activist of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, who served a 30-day arrest, was detained upon leaving the detention facility.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that on March 19, Elkhan Aliev was arrested on the charge of failure to obey the police and petty hooliganism. The activist is being persecuted because of his active opposition activities, says Ali Kerimli, the leader of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA). After his arrest, Elkhan Aliev claimed that 2500 manats (1500 US dollars) were missing from his car and suspected that the money was taken by policemen. At the detention facility, the activist went on a hunger strike in protest against his arrest and the loss of money.

“As soon as Elkhan Aliev went beyond the threshold of the detention facility, he was detained again,” said Mamed Ibragim, an adviser to the PFPA’s chair.

According to him, two policemen approached Elkhan Aliev and said that he was wanted, but did not explain in what case.

Mamed Ibragim believes that Elkhan Aliev is being persecuted for political reasons. “It is clear that they are fabricating a new case against him in order to put him in jail for a long time,” Mamed Ibragim noted.