12:38, 27 May 2004

Talish separatist leader to be granted pardon

Alikram Gumbatov, the leader of Talish separatists in Azerbaijan sentenced to life imprisonment, will be granted a pardon till the end of August. The Medical Department of the Azerbaijan Main Department of Penalty Execution has announced it is going to make a complex medical examination of the leader of the so call Talish-Mugan republic.

The decision to make the examination was made after human rights activists and Mr Gumbatov's lawyer had arranged a series of press conferences in view of the fact that Alikram Gumbatov's health seriously deteriorated.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan authorities plan to "get rid of" Alikram Gumbatov, i.e. to grant him a pardon till the end of August. But the true is that they plan to pardon him on one condition. He will have to leave Azerbaijan for the Netherlands and reunite with his family in this country after his release.

Editors note: See also the article "Health of Azerbaijan political prisoner Alikram Gummatov deteriorated".

Source: REGNUM News Agency