PACE President Anne Brasseur called for the immediate release of Real movement leader Ilgar Mammadov in Azerbaijan.

Besides, Brasseur expressed concern over unfair trials and the treatment of opposition figures, dissenting journalists, bloggers and activists in Azerbaijan.

Congratulating Azerbaijan on taking of Council of Europe chairmanship, she assured PACE will help with implementing Azerbaijan's priorities.

“But successful leaders should lead by example – by addressing the most pressing human rights issues at home,”she emphasized.