Amnesty International has referred to Mr. Azerbaijan’s case, and together with other detainees, made a collective case for them as prisoners of conscience (MDE 13/074/2006 on 29 June 2006). Some of the details of his sentence were reported on 17 August 2006 (our letters Ref: 367/2006 on 22 August 2006; and Ref: 382/2006 on 17 September 2006):

Charge: Pan-Turkism, separatism, disturbing public order
Sentence: one year imprisonment and 50 lashes

Mr. Azerbaijan is a 65 years old Southern Azerbaijani composer, professional player of stringed instrument called Tar and a singer. His opera called Settar Khan has captured hearts and minds of Southern Azerbaijanis and