Domestic

Domestic

Fuad Aleskerov: Humanistic and generous steps made by the Azerbaijani President shouldnâ€™t be used for political speculation

10 August 2011 14:53 (UTC +04:00)

Baku â€“ APA. Interview with Fuad Aleskerov, Head of the Department for Work with Law-Enforcement Bodies of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan

-Ex-president Ayaz Mutallibov returned to Azerbaijan after his sonâ€™s death. Media had reported before Azad Mutallibovâ€™s death that the countryâ€™s leadership permitted him to return to Azerbaijan.

-Thatâ€™s true. On July 22, Ayaz Mutallibov appealed to President of Azerbaijan Republic Mr. Ilham Aliyev and asked to offer opportunities for him to return to the country due to his sonâ€™s disease.

Guided by the principle of humanism of the state policy formed in our country and national traditions and customs of our people, Mr. President permitted Ayaz Mutallibov to return to the country due to his sonâ€™s disease. Ayaz Mutallibov could not come to Azerbaijan at that time, he returned to Azerbaijan after his son died. Our embassy in Russia gave him certificate for returning.

Ayaz Mutallibov expressed his gratitude to Mr. President for the humane step.

-The criminal proceeding against Ayaz Mutallibov has not been dismissed. There are media reports that the accusations against him have political character. What can you say about it?

- First of all, I would like to note that according to our national traditions Ayaz Mutallibov was allowed to attend the funerals of his son. To leave the people alone with their grief in such mournful days is more expedient from the point of humanistic view. It is at least disrespect for our national values to use the mourning and the humanistic and generous steps made by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan concerning this mourning for any political speculation.

Concerning the criminal proceeding against Ayaz Mutallibov, indeed it exists, but it has no political character. Ayaz Mutallibov is charged according to the concrete articles of the Criminal Code.

I would like to underline that criminal investigation of January 20 and Khojaly events, which Ayaz Mutallibov is charged with, was launched during the power of the Azerbaijan Popular Front. He is also charged with intention to seize power and other grave crimes. Concrete people were sentenced for these crimes.

Due to Ayaz Mutallibovâ€™s address to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, execution of the decision about Mutallibovâ€™s arrest was suspended.

- If the law on ex-presidents is adopted, is Ayaz Mutallibov expected to be free from the criminal responsibility?

- As a result of referendum held in 2009, Part 2 was added to Article 108 of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan. According to this amendment, security of the ex-presidents of Azerbaijan should be determined by the Constitutional law. This draft law is elaborated now. It is early to say what articles will be included in this draft and what security rules it will determine.

The draft law can consider the points about the security of ex-presidents, including their material, social and medical security, as well as the points which secure them from the criminal responsibility for their actions during the office.

I would like to underline again that the policy pursued by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev aims to ensure security, stability, civil peace, sustainable development, as well as solidarity and harmony of society in Azerbaijan.