Gultekin Hajibeyli Urges Turkish Authorities Not to Extradite Her to Azerbaijan

IHR
1 minute ago
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Azerbaijani opposition leader Gultekin Hajibeyli is detained in Istanbul and faces deportation to Baku under politically motivated 'public safety' charges. She holds a valid Turkish residence permit and fears immediate arrest on fabricated charges in Azerbaijan. Appeals filed with ECHR. Read her urgent appeal to the Turkish Government. — Gultekin Hajibeyli

Turkish law enforcement agencies are preparing the deportation of Azerbaijani opposition politician Gultekin Hajibeyli due to suspicion of "creating threats to public security."

Gultekin Hajibeyli, a member of the Coordination Center of the National Council of Democratic Forces (NCDF) of Azerbaijan, was detained in Turkey on the night of November 30.

Opposition members linked the detention to the case against the leader of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (APaFP), Ali Karimli.

On the evening of December 3, her statement appeared on Hajibeyli's Facebook account.

She reports that she is being held at the Arnavutköy Deportation Center in Istanbul.

Hajibeyli considers her detention unlawful.

"I arrived in Istanbul on September 25 to visit my son, who is studying here, and my three-month stay in Turkey has not expired. Furthermore, I have a separate two-year residence permit for Turkey. I specifically emphasize that during my stay in Turkey, I did not violate any laws," the statement by Hajibeyli continues.

She reports that her deportation to Azerbaijan is being prepared.

"Currently, for the purpose of my illegal and unjustified deportation to Azerbaijan, I am being held here under Article G-82 concerning 'creating threats to public security,' which is typically used against foreign terrorists, and work is underway to extradite me to Azerbaijan," Hajibeyli states.

She reports that an appeal "has already been made to the European Court of Human Rights" regarding her detention.

"Simultaneously, through my lawyer in Turkey, we will appeal to the Turkish court as soon as possible. From here, I appeal to the Government of Turkey to refrain from making an illegal decision regarding me under pressure from the Azerbaijani authorities. I was a deputy for 10 years, representing Azerbaijan in PACE. As one of the leaders of the Azerbaijani opposition, I have always been a supporter of democratic, peaceful, and civilized political struggle.

I have never violated laws in my political activities, and therefore, it is unacceptable to extradite me to Azerbaijan today under Article G-82 as a foreign terrorist," Hajibeyli notes, stressing that she has always been committed to developing Azerbaijani-Turkish friendship.

Hajibeyli also indicates that her extradition to Baku would mean support by the Turkish authorities for the repression against the Azerbaijani opposition.

She also indicates that in the event of deportation to Azerbaijan, she faces arrest on fabricated charges.

On November 29, State Security Service officers, following searches, detained the leader of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (APFP) Ali Karimli and his advisor, APFP Presidium member Mammad Ibrahim. The party called the detentions politically motivated, viewing them as an attempt by the authorities "to destroy the last independent political force in Azerbaijan." On December 1, a court ordered both to be held in custody for 2.5 months.