Lena Patyaeva, a friend of missing Chechen native Seda Suleimanova, was charged with an administrative offense after a solo picket in Grozny. She held the protest on August 23, the third anniversary of Suleimanova's disappearance. Under the charges against her, Patyaeva faces up to 30 days in jail or a fine of up to 300,000 rubles.
The proposed amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses in Azerbaijan could result in fines for political parties that do not report changes to their membership registers. If this law is adopted, the situation in the country will become more complicated. This was announced by the deputy chairman of the opposition Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFFA), former political prisoner Seymour Hazi. He believes that the Azerbaijani government seeks to suppress opposition parties, and the amendments are aimed at further tightening control. Hazi foresees legal problems, noting delays in party registration that could result in fines.
The Law on Political Parties, approved earlier this year, also drew criticism from the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe. She called for a revision of the innovation, pointing out potential problems with the legislation in terms of international obligations and the country's constitution.