Ruslan Izzetli Writes from Detention: "The Scale of Justice Has Sided with the Powerful"

Ruslan Izzetli

Ruslan Izzetli, a founding member of the III Republic Platform and arrested in the "Toplum TV case," has written a letter to the public from the Baku Investigation Isolation Facility (Kurdakhani Isolation Facility), where he has been detained for 20 months.

In his correspondence, Izzetli recounts the "heartbreaking stories" of people he has encountered during his detention. He notes that he has seen blind individuals accused of robbery, paralyzed individuals accused of drug dealing, and "children punished for their father's crime". Reflecting on the state of justice, Izzetli asserted that remaining silent in the face of injustice only guarantees becoming the next victim.

He shared his deeply critical view on the judiciary: "Because in this country, the justice scale of Themis, the goddess of justice, has long since chosen to side with the powerful in an obedient society".

Izzetli highlighted the bitter story of the Rzayev family, focusing specifically on Kamran Rzayev, a 24-year-old veteran of the Second Karabakh War who had been awarded several medals for his bravery. Kamran was arrested for a crime he claims he did not participate in. The incident stemmed from his father, Shujaat Rzayev, emotionally punishing an individual named Nazirkhan Aghakhanov, who had been continuously spreading videos inciting hatred and enmity against the Talysh people on social media. Kamran's heavily ill, oncology-stricken mother now has her husband and two sons in detention.

Despite the injured party even confirming that Kamran was not present on the day of the crime, and Kamran submitting all facts to the court investigation to prove his innocence, unofficial news from the court has shaken his hope for acquittal.

In their last meeting, Kamran posed a painful question to Izzetli: "Teacher Ruslan, I fought in the Second Karabakh War. We ended nearly 30 years of injustice by fighting. Do you think that during a time when we are celebrating the 5th anniversary of the Victory, they will confront me with an unjust decision?".

Izzetli concluded the letter by calling on those who govern the state to answer this question, urging them not to subject a young man devoted to the Motherland and the flag to injustice in a court "where the flag he fought for is displayed".