US Envoy in Azerbaijan Meets Opposition Leaders
On December 15, Hugo Guevara, US chargé d'affaires in Azerbaijan, met separately with Ali Karimli, the chairman of the opposition Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (APFP), and Ilgar Mammadov, the chairman of the Republican Alternative Party (REAL).
Ali Karimli wrote on his Facebook page: "We discussed with Mr. Guevara important social and political problems for our country, including the new law on political parties, political prisoners in the country, and restrictions on the freedom of free assembly."
Ilgar Mammadov, the chairman of the REAL Party, stated that he met with him at the US Embassy at the invitation of Hugo Guevara. "During the conversation, views were exchanged on topics related to the agenda of bilateral and international relations between our countries," he noted.
On December 16, Hugo Guevara met separately with Arif Hajili, the head of the opposition Musavat Party, and Tofig Yagublu, the functionary of the National Council.
Arif Hajili wrote on his Facebook page that the social and political situation in Azerbaijan, the current situation in Karabakh, the state of human rights in the country, political prisoners, and other issues were discussed at the meeting held at the US Embassy. "We exchanged views on American-Azerbaijani relations and the Musavat Party's prospects for cooperation with the US Embassy in our country," he noted.
Tofig Yagublu emphasized that a detailed and effective discussion was held in the meeting about human rights, democracy, especially the abolition of the freedom of assembly, political prisoners, and the newly adopted law "On Political Parties."