On 24 April, the spokesperson for EU Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano welcomed the gesture of the Azerbaijani government to terminate the criminal cases of opposition figures Ilgar Mammadov and Rasul Jafarov.
“This judgement, which overturns their previous convictions, is a welcome step that finally fully implements the respective decisions of the European Court of Human Rights. The European Union expects Azerbaijan to live up to its international commitments and to continue to implement the remaining decisions of the European Court of Human Rights. The European Union will continue its cooperation and dialogue with Azerbaijan to address fundamental issues of democracy and human rights in the country,” the statement read.
The US embassy in Azerbaijan also welcomed these steps. “The United States Embassy in Azerbaijan welcomes the Supreme Court’s decision to acquit Chairperson of the Republican Alternative Party Ilgar Mammadov. The Embassy also welcomes the acquittal of human rights defender Rasul Jafarov and would welcome further positive steps, such as ending the intimidation and detention of journalists, civil society activists, and members of the political opposition who exercise their freedom of expression,” the statement read.
The Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejcinovic Buric also welcomed the decision. “The acquittal today of Ilgar Mammadov and Rasul Jafarov by the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan is to be welcomed. As the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers has repeatedly emphasised, the execution of the European Court of Human Rights' judgments requires the elimination of all the consequences of the criminal charges brought against them. This step will be reviewed by the Committee in the context of the supervision of the execution of the Court's judgments. The Council of Europe remains available to further its cooperation with Azerbaijan,” she said.
On 23 April, the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan terminated on acquittal grounds the criminal cases against the opposition REAL Party leader Ilgar Mammadov and lawyer, human rights activist, and president of the Human Rights Club Rasul Jafarov. Both Azerbaijani oppositionists also received financial compensations for the moral damage inflicted to them (Caucasus Watch reported).
