Domestic

Domestic

Constitutional law on security of former presidents of Azerbaijan and their families adopted in first reading

25 October 2011 12:35 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Rashad Suleymanov â€“ APA. The Constitutional law on security of former presidents of Azerbaijan and their families was discussed at the parliament of Azerbaijan on Tuesday. MPs Zahid Oruj, Fazail Agamali and Elman Mammadov were against the adoption of this law. They said this law couldnâ€™t concern Ayaz Mutallibov because of his criminal actions during his power. Speaker Asadov said that if Mutallibov could fulfill his presidential authorities and duties, he wouldnâ€™t resign and would stay in office for five years. â€œThe fact is that he was the presidentâ€.

Khanhuseyn Kazimli said the law meets all contemporary requirements and should be adopted. Elmira Akhundova noted that the Constitutional Court should express opinion on the complicated questions and the document should concern both former presidents â€“ Ayaz Mutallibov and Abulfaz Elchibey and their families.

Iqbal Agazadeh said this law would serve the atmosphere of reconciliation in the country. He emphasized the importance of implementation of this law for all three presidents and called his colleagues to vote for the document.

Musa Guliyev said the law needs in the Constitutional Courtâ€™s opinion to be implemented for Ayaz Mutallibov.

Gudrat Hasanguliyev proposed to grant a stipend amounted to 80% of the salary of incumbent president to the former presidents. â€œThe law should be written in such manner that it wouldnâ€™t need in the comments by the Constitutional Court. Mutallibov is charged with grave crimes - January 20 and Kjojaly tragedies. But I will vote for this draft law. This law should concern Abulfaz Elchibey. This law should also consider bearing of arms by the bodyguards and protection of the house of ex-president by relevant organizationsâ€.

Hasanguliyev demanded release of opposition activists arrested during the April 2 action, including Musavat Partyâ€™s Arif Hajili.

Ali Masimli called the draft law as a contemporary document and said he would vote for the document.

Sabir Rustamkhanli said this law is of great importance for Azerbaijan.
â€œThe more humane this law is, the more important it will be for our society. There was a war on, there was internal confrontation in the country and mistakes were inevitable. To be in migration for 20 years is a punishment, I think Ayaz Mutallibov has learnt a lesson from it, the law must be applied to both Elchibey and Mutallibov,â€ he said.

Malahat Ibrahimgizi shared the views of her colleagues, who wanted the Constitutional Court to give opinion on the draft law. Aydin Mirzazadeh said the draft law is based on the law. Chingiz Ganizadeh considers that the law will eliminate the political tension.
â€œThe state must have done it and it has done it. I regret that ex-presidents have become the subjects of discussions. I think we should not look back. Mutallibov and Elchibey left office under article 104 of the Constitution â€“ they resigned. This law is applied to them. No Azerbaijani president left the office through impeachment,â€ he said.

Asim Mollazadeh said it is positive that the status of ex-president was given to Elchibey. Faraj Guliyev called the document reformative law.

Vice-speaker of the parliament Valeh Alasgarov said the draft law is in line with Azerbaijanâ€™s Constitution. He said those who have remarks and proposals, must submit them in written form to the committee for legal policy and statehood.

Chairman of the committee Ali Huseynli said history and political issues must not be speculated on.
â€œThe adoption of this law does not mean that the attitude towards the previous historical processes, political views is changed. We have the will to show different attitude to the persons, who were convicted for their actions and inactivity. I was surprised at the views that the law must be sent to the Constitutional Court. There is no procedure that any law prepared by the parliament must be sent to the Constitutional Court. The most famous experts specialized on the Constitutional Law worked on this law,â€ he said.

Answering questions Ali Huseynli said none of the ex-presidents left the office through impeachment. As regards the application of the law to the persons, who faced criminal prosecution, Huseynli said this is a Constitutional Law and has the authority to end the prosecution.

The draft law was put to the vote, 110 voted for, 3 against, 1 abstained from voting. The draft law was adopted in the first reading.

The draft law will be discussed in the second reading after six months.