11/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - Release of blogger Bakhtiar Hajiyev. EU High Representative Catherine Ashton issued a statement on Friday 8 June, welcoming the decision of the Supreme Court and the subsequent release of youth activist and blogger Bakhtiar Hajiyev. Although delayed, Hajiyev's release is in line with Azerbaijan's international commitments and its pledge to move forward on freedoms of speech and assembly. Ashton hopes this decision will encourage the release of all other activists in prison, notably the participants to the “Day of Anger” rally on 2 April 2011. Hajiyev was arrested in March 2011, at a demonstration he had helped to organise. In May 2011, he was sentenced to two years in prison for avoiding military service. (CG/transl.rt)