AZERBAIJAN: Conscientious objector’s jail term changed to suspended sentence

After 12 weeks in jail, a Ganca court changed the nine-month jail term for Jehovah’s Witness conscientious objector Seymur Mammadov to a one-year suspended sentence. Another, Royal Karimov, was released after three months’ forced detention in a military unit. Both had declared readiness to perform an alternative civilian service. The Human Rights Ombudsperson’s Office failed to respond on what action it would take (if any) to ensure that Azerbaijan introduces a civilian alternative service for those unable to serve in the army on grounds of conscience.