Congressman Cohen and Congressman Shuster’s Statement on the Release of Azerbaijani Prisoners

[WASHINGTON, DC] – Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN)and Congressman Bill Shuster (R-PA), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, released the following statement on the release of 148 Azerbaijani prisoners:

“We welcome today’s news of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev pardoning the sentences of 137 prisoners, releasing six people from correctional labor and freeing five people from penalty fines. Among those pardoned were human rights defenders Rasul Jafarov and Anar Mammadli, two individuals about whom we have written to President Aliyev expressing interest in their cases. This is positive news as Azerbaijan works to uphold its support for and guarantee of human rights as a close friend and ally to the U.S. While we welcome the President’s actions, we continue to call for the release of journalist Khadija Ismayilova and human rights attorney Intigam Aliyev. As Azerbaijan celebrates Novruz Bayrami and looks ahead to the new year, we hope that President Aliyev will take similar actions to ensure their release as the U.S. and Azerbaijan work toward strengthening our positive strategic relationship.”