Support Adnan and Emin

On January 22nd, London will be part of a series of protests across the world calling for the freedom of the "Donkey Bloggers" 

Join us outside the Azerbaijan Embassy to protest against the unlawful imprisonment of Adnan Hajizade and Emin Milli, and call for their immediate release. 

So don your best donkey suit and invite all your friends, and let's make some noise for Adnan, Emin, and countless other unjustly imprisoned activists in Azerbaijan.

Facebook link : "Donkey Bloggers" Protest

Amnesty International calls for an online action for Adnan Hajizadeh and Emin Milli.

People simply have to click here and to fill in the form in order to send an e-mail to the main Azerbaijani authorities.

By taking this action, the sender asks for a fair hearing for Adnan and Emin.

Let it be reminded that the bloggers lodged an appeal against the Sabail Court's decision which convicted them to 2 years (Adnan) and 2 years and a half (Emin). Their trial is scheduled for December 22.

Hier soir, 8 décembre 2009, Ilham Aliev, Président de l'Azerbaïdjan, est arrivé à Paris pour une visite officielle de deux jours.

L'APA - Azerbaijan Press Agency - a indiqué que le Président rencontrerait Nicolas Sarkozy, Bernard Kouchner, les Présidents de l'Assemblée Nationale et du Sénat.

Si Aliev a bien rencontré les autorités françaises, aucune conférence de presse, sauf erreur de notre part, ne s'est tenue.

Aliev n'est bien sûr pas venu pour parler de droits de l'homme.

Le Président azerbaïdjanais est en France principalement pour la signature d'accords pétroliers.

Tandis qu'à Paris, Aliev ne prononçait pas un mot au sujet d'Adnan Hadjizadeh et Emin Milli, à Bakou, ironiquement, on annonçait que le procès en appel était fixé au 22 décembre prochain.

Rappelons qu'Ilham Aliev n'a jamais répondu officiellement et personnellement à la moindre question sur Adnan Hadjizadeh et Emin Milli, videobloggers condamnés respectivement à deux ans et deux ans et demi d'emprisonnement.

C'est pourquoi, nous appelons les journalistes à tenter de rencontrer Aliev et d'évoquer le cas des jeunes activistes Adnan et Emin.

Radio France International (RFI) a consacré son "grand reportage" au cas d'Adnan et Emin.

Le reportage audio, très bon et complet, peut être écouté ici

Rappelons que les deux jeunes activistes, Adnan et Emin, ont été agressés et arrêtés le 8 juillet puis condamnés le 11 novembre dernier à respectivement deux ans et deux ans et demi d'emprisonnement.

Le reportage RFI (18 min) aborde à travers le cas d'Adnan et Emin les problèmes rencontrés par la jeunesse azerbaïdjanaise et l'enlisement de l'Azerbaïdjan dans une attitude d'abnégation de la démocratie et d'oppression à l'égard des libres penseurs.

Corruption et autoritarisme sont le quotidien des azerbaïdjanais.

Un groupe de jeunes tente de combattre pacifiquement ces fléaux par un usage citoyen des réseaux sociaux mais, devenus populaires, ils représentent un danger pour le pouvoir qui entend durcir son attitude à l'égard de tout embryon de démocratie..

Today Amnesty International called on an Urgent Action for Adnan and Emin. You can find here the Amnesty International's appeal:

URGENT ACTION: BLOGGERS IMPRISONED AFTER UNFAIR TRIAL

Two male Azerbaijani youth activists and bloggers Emin Abdullayev (aged 30) and Adnan Hajizade (aged 26) have been sentenced to two and a half years and two years respectively in an unfair trial. Amnesty International believes the charges against them were fabricated and they have been imprisoned solely for exercising their right to freedom of expression.

On 28 June, a satirical video made by Adnan Hajizade criticizing the Azerbaijani government was posted on the video-sharing website YouTube. On 8 July, Adnan Hajizade and Emin Abdullayev (who blogs under the name Emin Milli) were approached by two men as they were dining with friends in a restaurant in the capital Baku. The men demanded to know what they were talking about. When Emin Abdullayev replied that it did not concern the two men, one of the men head-butted him and he fell to the floor. The same man then struck Adnan Hajizade, knocking him to the ground, and continued to kick and beat Adnan Hajizade and Emin Abdullayev until restaurant staff intervened.

Adnan Hajizade and Emin Abdullayev immediately went to a local police station to report the incident. However, police officers interrogated them as suspects for five hours, denying them access to a lawyer of their choosing and arrested them on charges of ‘hooliganism’. The activists were remanded in custody pending their trial. They were later also charged with inflicting minor bodily harm.

During their investigation the police and prosecutors failed to interview witnesses and to obtain video evidence from a security camera which may have recorded the incident in the restaurant. They also submitted documents to the court which wrongly stated that Adnan Hajizade was unemployed and that he had a criminal record. According to the activist’s lawyers, at the trial the court refused to consider photographs showing the injuries they sustained in the attack, as well as video evidence from mobile phones and the security camera, but provided no explanation as to why. The two men were convicted and sentenced to two and a half and two years respectively in prison. Emin Abdullayev and Adnan Hajizade intend to appeal against the decision.

PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in English, Azeri, or your own language:

n Calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Adnan Hajizade and Emin Abdullayev;

n Noting that Amnesty International believes them to be prisoners of conscience, detained solely for the peaceful exercise of their right to freedom of expression and association.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 28 DECEMBER 2009 TO:

Ilham Aliyev

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Office of the President

19 Istiqlaiyyat St.

AZ1066 Baku, Azerbaijan

Fax: +99412 492 35 43/  492 06 25

Email:   president@president.az

office@apparat.gov.az

Salutation: Dear President

or

Fikrat Mammadov

Minister of Justice

1, Inshaatchylar prospect

Baku AZ1065

Azerbaijan

Fax: +994 12 430 09 81

Email:   contact@justice.gov.az; international@justice.gov.az

Salutation: Your Excellency

or

Prof. Elmira Suleymanova

Ombudsperson
Office of the Ombudsman
40 Uz. Hajibeyov Street
Baku AZ1000,Azerbaijan             

Fax: + 994 12 498 8574

Email: ombudsman@ombudsman.gov.az

Salutation: Dear Ombudperson

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date.

Sentenced... Adnan and Emin are sentenced to two years of imprisonment.. A nightmare? Yes, definitely. Have we lost? NO!

Did you really think that locking Adnan and Emin would be enough to prevent them to express their ideas?.. And you called us naive people!?! Adnan and Emin can't be silent and, because of their higher vision of life and society, they will be heard... Behind bars but still talking to us!

On November 11, 2009, a pathetic so-called "judge" convicted Adnan and Emin for "hooliganism" and "violences" whereas everybody knows their crime simply consisted in speaking honestly and criticizing an authoritarian government.

"Hooliganism" in Azerbaijan means to use the fundamental right to free speech and specially by blogging, posting video on youtube and using network.. So here we are: our friends are in jail but, thanks to the new AdnanEmin's blog, they will send us letters and talk to us about their feelings, their thoughts. Thus, they will stay close to us.

Yes, if we read this blog, we make them free.

In fact, by sending us letters, they are helping us to help them.

So let's read them, let's support them and never give up!

The blog already posted Emin's first letter but I won't quote it here, go on their prison diary's homepage and read Emin's declaration of moral victory...

I can tell you the first beautiful sentence "Our Vision prevails their fear…"

*this picture is IRSF copyright!

http://contact.com.az/index.php?type=news&lang=en&news_id=13928

Today Baku’s Sabail region court has sentenced the bloggers Emin Milli to 2.5 years and Adnan Hajizada to 2 years of imprisonment on charge of hooliganism and causing damage to health.

Today’s session has started with the speech of Public Prosecutor Jeyhun Kazimov, who asked court to sentence Milli to 3.6 years and Hajizada to 3 years in jail.

The lawyers of the accused demanded their acquittal. Adnan Hajizada’s lawyer Isahan Ashurov said “Prosecutor has no idea what ”proof” it is and the accusation was based on the traditions of Soviet totalitarianism. Since the very beginning investigation was conducted with violation of the law. The principle of presumption of innocence has been violated and instead of investigation police has instituted criminal case right away.”

Millis’ lawyer Elton Guliyev said the bloggers’ case is politically motivated to intimidate young people. “The so-called victims had to be on the place of the accused.”

In his last plea Hajizada said that the International Youth Day was celebrated on November 10. “We, investigator and Prosecutor and the so-called victims are people of one generation. And we altogether must resolve all the problems, first of all the Karabakh conflict,” Hajizada said.

“You do not have to be a professional in field law to make fair decision. You should feel sorry for them, but not us,” he said and pointed at the victim Vusal Mammadov.

Milli said “it is honor for me to be penalized for my ideals.” People applauded and human rights defender Leyla Yunus shouted “Shame on Judge Araz Huseynov!

The lawyers said that sentence is unfair and illegal and they will appeal against it.

Leyla Yunus said the sentence is “a political order.”

Erkin Gadirli, chairman of the Committee for Bloggers Rights, said the sentence is a disgrace. “We will take the matter to the European court,” he said.

Terry Davidson, chief of U.S. embassy Public Relations Department, expressed regret over the court decision. He said in the coming days the U.S. Department of States will express its attitude towards the sentence passed on the bloggers.

26-year-old Adnan Hajizada, leader of the youth movement Ol (Be), and 30-year-old Emin Milli, chief of Alumni Network, founder of ANTV, were detained after the fight in Lebanese restaurant on July 8, 2009. Local and international human rights defenders claim that the young people have been arrested for a political dissent and, particularly, video about donkey, which was regarded as parody of president.

Many international organizations, parliaments and governments of western countries have repeatedly urged the Azerbaijani authorities to free the bloggers.

The bloggers’ imprisonment is the Azerbaijani authorities challenge to the world community.

Experts

One of the victims Babak Huseynov did not appear at the trial, but he submitted a written statement saying that he has no claims to the accused. Another victim Vusal Mammadov said he “is not going to reconcile with the accused and they should be penalized by the state.”

Milli’s relatives protested at the court’s failure to video speech of Public Prosecutor.

Milli and Hajizada were arrested on July 8 after the incident in Lebanon restaurant in Baku. Although they have been beaten up, criminal case has been instituted against them.

Local and international human rights defenders claim that the young people have been arrested on political reasons.

The judge has announced a break.-0-

ANPCEI: VERDICT AGAINST BLOGGERS IS A SHAME FOR AZERBAIJAN

http://www.top7.az/default.asp?vr=en

11.11.2009...18:42:48...Wednesday

BAKU/11.11.09/TURAN: Azerbaijan’s National Public Committee for European Integration (ANPCEI) is indignant with conviction of young bloggers Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade.

"Immediately after the arrest and during the investigation the ANPCEI appealed repeatedly to Azerbaijan’s authorities with request to stop this falsified "case." Trial showed that the beating, arrest and trial over young bloggers were connected with their public activity. Young activists are punished in this way for their will to live in open and fair society in which human rights of every person are respected," reads the statement received from ANPCEI.

The court's verdict is contrary not only to Azerbaijan’s legislation, but also to democratic principles, and it violates the norms of humanism and human values. In connection with above mentioned the ANPCEI again called Azerbaijan’s leadership to stop the absurdity defaming Azerbaijani state. "We demand immediate release of Adnan Hajizade and Emin Milli, and stop of investigation against them," the statement of ANPCEI read.

Today Sabail Court passed a verdict against Adnan Hajizade and Emin Milli, and sentenced them to 2 years and 2, 5 years of imprisonment.

ANPCEI unites a large group of prominent representatives of Azerbaijan’s democratic publicity. A chairman-in- office of the ANPCEI is the head of Public Union “For the Sake of Azerbaijan” Eldar Namazov. -06D--

DEVAMM CATEGORICALLY CONDEMNS VERDICT PASSED AGAINST BLOGGERS

http://www.top7.az/default.asp?vr=en

11.11.2009...18:30:07...Wednesday

BAKU/11.10.09/TURAN: DEVAMM condemned the verdict passed against bloggers Adnan Milli and Emin Hajizade, reads the statement sent to Turan by the head of DEVAMM structure Haji Ilgar Ibrahimoglu. The statement reads that the verdict will cause a serious damage to Azerbaijan’s international image, to belief in court’s justice, and independence of this structure. There were not arguments or facts proving the bloggers’ guilt; they have turned from sufferers into the accused.

DEVAMM considers that the sentence against the bloggers is unfair and is biased. It is noted with great regret that courts in Azerbaijan play the role of instrument for punishment dissidents. "We want to believe that higher instances will not be unfair. We are solider with the young bloggers." -16Б04-

AZERBAIJANI AUTHORITIES SENTENCED BLOGGERS IGNORING INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC OPINION

http://www.top7.az/default.asp?vr=en

11.11.2009...14:43:47...Wednesday

BAKU/11.11.09/TURAN: Today Baku’s Sabail region court has sentenced the bloggers Emin Milli to 2.5 years and Adnan Hajizada to 2 years of imprisonment on charge of hooliganism and causing damage to health.

Today’s session has started with the speech of Public Prosecutor Jeyhun Kazimov, who asked court to sentence Milli to 3.6 years and Hajizada to 3 years in jail.

The lawyers of the accused demanded their acquittal. Adnan Hajizada’s lawyer Isahan Ashurov said “Prosecutor has no idea what ”proof” it is and the accusation was based on the traditions of Soviet totalitarianism. Since the very beginning investigation was conducted with violation of the law. The principle of presumption of innocence has been violated and instead of investigation police has instituted criminal case right away.”

Millis’ lawyer Elton Guliyev said the bloggers’ case is politically motivated to intimidate young people. “The so-called victims had to be on the place of the accused.”

In his last plea Hajizada said that the International Youth Day was celebrated on November 10. “We, investigator and Prosecutor and the so-called victims are people of one generation. And we altogether must resolve all the problems, first of all the Karabakh conflict,” Hajizada said.

“You do not have to be a professional in field law to make fair decision. You should feel sorry for them, but not us,” he said and pointed at the victim Vusal Mammadov.

Milli said “it is honor for me to be penalized for my ideals.” People applauded and human rights defender Leyla Yunus shouted “Shame on Judge Araz Huseynov!

The lawyers said that sentence is unfair and illegal and they will appeal against it.

Leyla Yunus said the sentence is “a political order.”

Erkin Gadirli, chairman of the Committee for Bloggers Rights, said the sentence is a disgrace. “We will take the matter to the European court,” he said.

Terry Davidson, chief of U.S. embassy Public Relations Department, expressed regret over the court decision. He said in the coming days the U.S. Department of States will express its attitude towards the sentence passed on the bloggers.

26-year-old Adnan Hajizada, leader of the youth movement Ol (Be), and 30-year-old Emin Milli, chief of Alumni Network, founder of ANTV, were detained after the fight in Lebanese restaurant on July 8, 2009. Local and international human rights defenders claim that the young people have been arrested for a political dissent and, particularly, video about donkey, which was regarded as parody of president.

Many international organizations, parliaments and governments of western countries have repeatedly urged the Azerbaijani authorities to free the bloggers.

The bloggers’ imprisonment is the Azerbaijani authorities challenge to the world community.-0-

Today, the last hearing took place in Sabayil Court in Baku and the decision has nothing to do with justice. The hope was for a hall of fame but the result turned to be a Court of shame! So that's it: Adnan Hajizadeh and Emin Milli (Abdullayev) were found guilty on hooliganism and violence whereas it is well known that the two bloggers were attacked and didn't commit any crime but expressing themselves.

The sentences are two years of imprisonment for Adnan Hajizadeh and two years and a half for Emin Milli.

Defence lawyers already announced they would appeal... They must, obviously.. but who can trust this Caucasus Kangaroo Courts?! Plus, no doubt that the two bloggers will  stay in jail during the appeal process...

Emin said he is feeling proud and ready to accept the verdict. Adnan added « we will be done with our sentences but I wonder how they (the so-called « victims », i.e agressors) are going to live a life built on lies... »

Yes, lies, fake proofs and fake statments are the characteristics of this absurd and horrible « trial »!

We tweeted and posted on every hearing. Prosecution and witnesses' statements were clearly incoherent and revealed the political reason behind. The two « witnesses » were unable to remember anything.

Let be quoted this scene of anthology:

Defence lawyer – Who has beaten you?

Witness – One of those guys.

Lawyer – but who?

Witness – There were many people, I don't remember! This is probably one of those guys! Anyway, I said everything in my initial statement!

Lawyer – What did you write in this statement?

Witness – What police told me.

You see, this trial was full of pathetic moments like this one. This scene is a perfect demonstration of the absurdity of Adnan and Emin's case.

The world must be aware that in Azerbaijan, jail is the price to pay when you post videos on youtube.

The world must know that in Azerbaijan, there is no fair trial, no freedom of expression, no democracy.

The world must know that in Azerbaijan, « might is right »!

The fault of Adnan and Emin is to work for a democratic change in Absurdistan.

Despite all efforts of Azerbaijani civil society and International community, we lost today... but we won't give up! We are shocked (not very surprized though) but we will never stop supporting them.

So, we call on International community, civil society, NGOs, Embassies and every citizen of this world, to stand up and strongly condemn this unbearable decision.

The hope was for a hall of fame but the result turned to be a Court of shame!

Don't give up my friends, don't let the Azerbaijani youth alone, don't keep silent, support Adnan and Emin!

Today, at 10:30 a.m. Baku time, another hearing will take place in Sabayil Court on the case of Adnan Hajizadeh and Emin Milli.

The two young bloggers have been detained in pretrial detention since July 8, 2009 and charged for hooliganism, although everyone, including human rights organizations, clearly know that the real reason is political intimidation against youth activism in Azerbaijan.

Let it be reminded that Adnan Hajizadeh and Emin Milli, respectively leaders of OL! youth movement and AN network, were attacked and injured by two sportsmen (Vusal Mammedov and Babek Huseynov) and, instead of being treated like victims, they were suited for aggression against their aggressors.

The trial has been ongoing for more than two months and turned into a comedy consisting of a series of absurd hearings, contradictory statements and fake testimonies and proofs. For instance, during the last hearing (see: http://globalvoicesonline.org/2009/11/06/azerbaijan-activist-blogger-trial-resumes/), the so-called "victims" suddenly became amnesic and could not give any information on the facts or the statements they initially made at the police station.

Today's hearing could be the last one.

If Adnan Hajizadeh and Emin Milli are found guilty, they may face up to five years of imprisonment. Such a sentence would be one more blow to freedom of expression and would mean the sacrifice of two peaceful young leaders whose sole guilt is to fight corruption and totalitarism.

We appeal everybody to gather in front of the Sabayil Court at 10:30 a.m. to show our support and condemn this mascarade of justice!

You can also use the hashtag #EminAdnan on Twitter and follow livetweets on the trial.

Don't let the Azerbaijani youth alone, support Adnan and Emin!