The United States is concerned by the apparently arbitrary arrests and detentions that have taken place in Azerbaijan since the government announced its planned constitutional referendum on September 26, head of U.S. mission to the OSCE said.

“We are troubled by the August 12 arrest of Azerbaijani opposition Republican Alternative (REAL) Movement Executive Secretary Natig Jafarli. We understand that two days ago the Nasimi District Court of Baku rejected his request for release on bail. We are also concerned by reports of additional arrests and detentions of opposition figures,” Ambassador Daniel Baer said addressing the OSCE Permanent Council.

He urged the Azerbaijani government to release these and other activists incarcerated in connection with exercising their fundamental freedoms, and to allow an open and public dialogue about the direction of the country and freedom of expression in the media. As the draft constitutional amendments also affect freedom of expression, ‎the United States also urge the government to submit the constitutional amendments to the Venice Commission and ODIHR for a Joint Opinion.