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The United States Mission on the OSCE made a statement on the convictions of participants of the opposition protests on April 2 this year in Azerbaijan, saying that the U.S. deeply regrets the convictions of a number of opposition activists who participated in peaceful demonstrations.

“The United States recalls the Government of Azerbaijan’s obligations under its Constitution and its OSCE commitments to respect the rule of law and the rights of all its citizens to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Accordingly, we call upon Azerbaijan’s judicial authorities to ensure that any appeals of these convictions are reviewed in accordance with Azerbaijan’s constitutional and international commitments, which exist to help all Azerbaijanis advance democratic culture, processes, and institutions in their country,” the statement says.

The Statement of the U.S. Mission to the OSCE, in particular, regards to the verdict of the Nasimi District Court to convict four activists – Ahad Mammadov, Ulvi Guliyev, Elnur Medzhidli, and Rufat Hajibeyli – on charges of actions disturbing public order and/or resisting police. The United States also regret the decision of the Sabail District Court of Baku to convict activists Arif Hajili, Tural Abbasli, Mahammad Majidli, and Fuad Gahramanli on charges of conspiracy to violate public order for planning and organizing pro-democracy protests on April 2.

On April 2, 2011, the Public Chamber of Azerbaijan held a peaceful demonstration, demanding the implementation of real political and economic reforms in the country. Azerbaijani police cracked down the rally, hundreds of people were beaten, arrested and fines. During the 4 trials 15 participants of the rally were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment. Convicts are the members of the opposition parties “Musavat”, “Azerbaijani Popular Front Party” and independent activists.