02 March 2005, 23:59
Opposition leaders may be released from prison in Azerbaijan
President Ilkham Aliyev of Azerbaijan will soon sign a new pardon decree, which is also expected to set free the opposition leaders arrested in connection with the 15-16 October 2003 events, the Presidential Pardon Commission says. The release of the people arrested in the aftermath of the 15-16 October developments is demanded by the Council of Europe, the European Union and other international organisations. Malcolm Bruce, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe's rapporteur on political prisoners, is expected to visit Azerbaijan on 14 March. Mr Bruce told Radio Liberty in an interview that "serious sanctions will be imposed on Azerbaijan, unless the Azerbaijan authorities release all political prisoners, including the opposition leaders arrested in connection with the 2003 developments."
Author: Zaur Rasulzade, CK correspondent
