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World|life|April 25, 2014 / 12:34 PM
Prominent journalist deported from Turkey, detained in Azerbaijan

AKIPRESS.COM - hrw Azerbaijan's jailing of a prominent independent journalist after his summary forcible return from Turkey bears the hallmarks of a coordinated operation that violates international law, Human Rights Watch said Thursday.

Turkey forcibly returned Rauf Mirgadirov to Azerbaijan without allowing him access to a lawyer or basic due process protections, in violation of its international legal obligations. Azerbaijan detained Mirgadirov upon his arrival to Baku International Airport on April 19, 2014.

On April 21, Baku's Nasimi District Court remanded him to three months in pretrial custody, pending investigation on espionage charges. If convicted, Mirgadirov, an outspoken reporter and commentator, faces a sentence of 10 years to life in prison.

“The possible coordination between Turkey and Azerbaijan to return Mirgadirov to Azerbaijan without due process should be immediately and thoroughly investigated,” said Rachel Denber, deputy Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

“Mirgadirov should be released pending an independent review of the charges against him," said Denber.

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