Brussels, 26/05/2016 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 25 May, the EU hailed the release from prison the same day of investigative journalist and anti-corruption campaigner Khadija Ismailova in Azerbaijan, after commutation of her sentence.
European Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn tweeted that he welcomed Ismailova's release and hoped for her full acquittal and the release of all political prisoners in Azerbaijan.
In a press release, the spokesperson for High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini said the Supreme Court's decision to release Ismailova conditionally marked “a further step in progress towards Azerbaijan's compliance with its international commitments”, and contributed to “the enhancement of relations” between the EU and this Central Asian country. Mogeherini's spokesperson added that the EU hoped the progress would be maintained “through lifting Ms Ismailova's travel ban, and the release and rehabilitation of all those currently imprisoned or under restriction of movement in Azerbaijan on political grounds”.
In a trial that was considered politically motivated, Ismailova was sentenced to seven and half years in prison in October 2015 for tax evasion (see EUROPE 11380). Her sentence has been commuted to a three and a half year suspended sentence by the Supreme Court. Her release follows on from those of 14 other political opponents and human rights activists in March (see EUROPE 11515). (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)