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The global civil society organization Transparency International specialized in leading the fight against corruption, has released a statement addressed to German Chancellor Angela Merkel ahead of visit to Azerbaijan. The statement, posted on the organization’s website reads, that the German Chancellor should pressure the government over its record on human rights, corruption and treatment of activists.

“Both Azerbaijan and Germany are entitled to seek a good deal from Chancellor Merkel’s visit to Azerbaijan this weekend. But as the leader of most influential member of the European Union, Chancellor Merkel must ensure that her actions promote and represent European values, and bring enduring results for the release of political prisoners and eased restrictions on funding for civil society organisations,” said Adam Foldes, legal advisor at Transparency International

In its statement, the international watchdog refers, among other things, to the so-called ‘Azerbaijani Laundromat’ - US$2.9bn slush fund allegedly sponsored by the Azerbaijani government that used shell companies to launder money and bribe European politicians to suppress independent human rights reports, finance fake election observation missions and launder the reputation of Azerbaijan.

“In negotiating any deal with the government of Azerbaijan, the German government should insist on freedom for political prisoners, a free and pluralistic media landscape, space for activists to protest and participate in decision making, and concrete measures against corruption,” Transparency International said.