Gulu Mammadli asked the US Vice President to support Azerbaijani political prisoners

Human rights activist Gulu Mammadli called on US Vice President J.D. Vance to facilitate the release of political prisoners in Azerbaijan, mentioning opposition leader Ali Karimli. Vance plans to visit Baku on February 10, following his visit to Armenia.

Mammadli stated that 340 people have been baselessly accused and imprisoned by Azerbaijani authorities for peacefully demanding rights and justice.

"America is strong in its commitment to human rights and democracy. We hope the US will work to resolve this issue, including behind closed doors," the human rights activist emphasized.

He also recalled the 23-year rule of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and expressed hope that the US will remain true to its "traditional values" this time as well.

As a reminder, on the eve of Vance's visit to Armenia, more than 20 Armenian human rights and civil society organizations sent him an open letter calling for support for the release of Armenian prisoners held in Baku.

The letter emphasized that the life and long-term prison sentences handed down in "sham trials" are "incompatible with the peace agenda."

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