On 12 August 2016 the Executive Secretary of the Republican Alternative Movement (REAL) Natig Jafarli was sentenced to four months of pre-trial detention on questionable charges of illegal entrepreneurship and the abuse of official power. A number of other political activists have also been arrested over the last few days.

The Minister for Europe and the Americas, Sir Alan Duncan, said:

I am concerned by the recent arrests of a number of political opposition figures, including Republican Alternative Movement (REAL) Executive Secretary Natig Jafarli.

I call on Azerbaijan to abide by its international commitments, and to improve its record, on human rights and the rule of law.

Further information

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