Azerbaijan extends arrest of human rights activist

A Baku court has extended the arrest of human rights activist Rufat Safarov for a month. He was detained on December 3, 2024.

Earlier, the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (OPHRD) demanded that the Azerbaijani authorities release the executive director of the human rights organization "Line of Defense" Rufat Safarov.

"The charges against Safarov are directly related to his legitimate human rights activities. We also demand an end to the persecution of other activists in the country," the appeal said.

Safarov was charged with three articles: fraud committed with causing major damage, hooliganism, and intentional infliction of minor bodily harm. He denied the charges and said that he was being persecuted because of his human rights activities and the award from the US State Department.

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