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"Power is seized in Azerbaijan and the country is controlled completely illegally. The whole Azerbaijan today is a big prison. I'm not going to voluntarily give myself to illegal government,” said co-founder of the Azerbaijani Intelligentsia Forum, famous screenwriter Rustam Ibragimbekov in an interview with "Media Forum", commenting on the question concerning to his possible return.

“According to information I have received, if I return to Azerbaijan investigative action will be carried out. However, they have no official character. I think these rumors are spread by the ruling power deliberately. I see no need to devote time and attention to such unlawful, unreasonable, mindless actions in my advanced age,” screenwriter said.

“As an ordinary citizen and intellectual, I have the right to express my own opinions about the events taking place in the country. I declare that the situation occurred in Azerbaijan has reached an intolerable level and requires mandatory changes. People should not wait patiently,” he said.

Referring to the possibility of his arrest, he noted, that if his fatherland evinces a similar attitude towards him, then he has to refrain from visiting Azerbaijan. “What is the use of my arrest? If they arrest me, then, both the international organizations, and the internal forces of the country will direct all their efforts on my release, and the authorities will quietly hold elections typical for them. At the end I will receive apologies and will be released,” Ibragimbekov said.

He noted that the possibilities of the communication system - the Internet, phone - allow him to stay informed regardless of the place.

According to him, the Azerbaijani authorities are going to stop the activities of the Union of Cinematographers and are looking for various reasons. “The Ministry of Justice is in stalemate because it cannot find a reason to eliminate the activity, while the government requires the suspension of activities. This case has no perspective, and after a time it will fall apart,” the screenwriter added.

At the same time, as reported by news agency “APA”, the Azerbaijani oppositional Public Chamber issued a statement, where they express serious concern about the Ibragimbekov’s report on possible arrest. PC believes that the threat of Ibragimbekov’s arrest speaks of the situation in Azerbaijan.

“His defense today is a matter of honor for every Azerbaijani. The moral duty of each of us is the open expression of their disposition on this issue,” the statement of the institution says.

Public Chamber stated about Ibragimbekov’s univocal support and preparedness to undertake necessary steps to protect him, reports “APA”.

In September 2012 the establishment of the Union of Azerbaijani Diaspora organizations in Russia was announced among the founders of which were a number of Russian billionaires from Azerbaijan, as well as film director Rustam Ibragimbekov.
Creation of the Union was negatively perceived by the Azerbaijani authorities. Thus, the State Committee of Diaspora Affairs of Azerbaijan called creation of Union of Azerbaijani Diaspora organizations impractical. Azerbaijan began to persecute members of ECCS. In particular, in December by order of the mayor of Ganja Elmar Valiyev office of Aydin Abbasov was closed who was the son of Abbas Abbasov, one of the founders of the Union of Azerbaijani Diaspora organizations.

The newspaper of the ruling party "Yeni Azerbaijan" R. Ibragimbekova was accused of "having relations with the Dashnaks", etc. After a series of attacks by the media Ibragimbekov declared that if the president of Azerbaijan does not respect him, then he does not intend to take Ilham Aliyev in account either. In early January Ibragimbekov said that he will support to create a new movement the main task of which is protecting the votes in the presidential election, and the formation of resistance against electoral frauds. The media labeled him as “Resistance Movement.”