Elchin Behbudov: "By stating that tortures are not applied in Azerbaijan, Mehman Mehmanov defends his esprit and his colleagues"

Mehman Mehmanov states that several years ago he asked me not "to tell the tales" during a live program at ANS channel. During the same program he received a worthy response from me".

The due announcement was made by head of Azerbaijan's committee against torture Elchin Behbudov commenting on the statement of chief of department for work with the staff of Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry, police colonel Mehman Mehmanov.

"Let's ask from the society if there are tortures in Azerbaijan or not? Let the community respond to this issue and it will become clear who tells a lie.

I understand that Mehman Mehmanov is a high-ranking officer of the Interior Ministry, chief of department for work with the staff of the Azerbaijan's Interior Ministry and therefore, he attempts to conceal the fact of tortures in the country. It is not a secret that people, who use violence, are also his subordinates. By stating that tortures are not applied in Azerbaijan Mehmanov defends his esprit and colleagues.

I agree that everyone is equal before the law and each should be punished for violating the law. But investigators should prove the guilt of the suspected by legal ways and not obtain testimonies by force. By applying tortures, they also become criminals.

Azerbaijan has joined a number of international conventions against torture. At the same time, the constitution of Azerbaijan and several standard legislative acts envision punishment for those, who apply tortures. Let Mehmanov ask me who has been brought to responsibility for application of tortures within the last few years?

I would repeat that I do not condemn Mehmanov. He is an officer and naturally he conceals use of tortures in Azerbaijan for if he says: "Yes, tortures are applied in Azerbaijan", he will have to give up his certificate".

As for Amanov, I know him as a professional sportsman and a boxer. But if he has really committed a crime, he should be brought to responsibility. Yet, Amanov personally declared that he was tortured with electricity. Why should a person, glorifying Azerbaijan abroad, slander on the law enforcement bodies of the country? Let's admit that he is not insane and he was not brought to hospital by accident", said Behbudov.

Asked whether representatives of the Azerbaijani committee against torture met with Amanov, Behbudov noted that they tries to meet him, but he had been checked out.

"Now I undertake steps to meet him", said Behbudov.

/Day.Az/

Related news:

High-ranking officer of Azerbaijan's Interior Ministry: "Elchin Behbudov should not tell the tales about tortures to become famous and popular"
 
Elchin Behbudov: "If such brutal tortures are used against a person, well-known in the country, the one who receives presidential scholarship, then what is done to ordinary citizens, detained by the head department on combat with organized crime under Azerbaijan's Interior Ministry?!"

Sadikh Gozalov: "Ramal Amanov lies about the tortures to avoid responsibility"

Police torture Azerbaijani boxer with electricity