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Abbas
Leysanli`s interview with Savalas Sesi Reporter
Abbas
Leysanli suffers excruciating pain around his knee
According
to the information received from Erdebil Prison, Abbas Leysanli has been
suffering from injuries to his knee during last five days. Although his
injury might have been caused as a result of physical exercise, the prison
authorities have denied him any kind of medical treatment or referring him
to a specialist doctor.
Finally,
following Mr Leysanli`s repeated complaints, today, the prison authorities
agreed to transfer him to a surgery within Erdebil. It is appropriate to
mention that, Mr. Leysanlis family have undertaken to pay for all his
medical expenses.
Mr.
Leysani`s transfer to the surgery was carried out at the presence of Mr.
Enzabi, Chief of Erdebil prison under high security measures, to the
extent that he was accompanied with more than twenty armed military men
with his feet chained together to the extent that Mr Leysanli could hardly
manage to walk.
The
reporter of Savalan Sesi has used this opportunity to interview Mr.
Leysanli, the prominent Azerbaijani activist in which he describes his
situation in the prison as follows:
From
the beginning of my and my compatriots arrest, we have been under
physical and mental pressures imposed on us by the prison staff and
members of the Ministry of Intelligence. We have been kept in most
inhumane conditions. Although we are imprisoned for defending our human
and national rights, the prison authorities have purposefully mixed us
with dangerous inmates such as drug users and criminals. In fact, we are
not considered by the authorities as prisoners but as hostages with no
rights.
When
Savalan Sesi`s reporter asked Abbas Leysanli about his conditional
release, he replied:
Even
if the authorities release me, I will not accept any conditions to be
imposed on me. Our activities are transparent and based on demanding our
natural and human rights which is profoundly non-negotiable. As an
unrepentant activist for the salvation of my homeland, I am not prepared
to trade off our national rights for anything whatever that may be. I can
clearly state that for as long as I live, I will continue my struggle for
human rights, freedom and prosperity of the nation of
Southern Azerbaijan
.
Regarding
governments propaganda machine which is used to accuse our people of
separatism or sympathisers of foreign countries, he said this is
nothing but ridiculing Azerbaijanis` brave and rightful struggle for
democratic, social and national rights. The measures taken by Azerbaijani
activists in support of our peoples rights stem mainly from the
miseries and unjust treatments inflicted by the Iranian regime on our
people for a long time. The authorities deploy tactics reminiscent of
those by fascists.
Unfortunately,
for many years, the authorities have systematically silenced and
suppressed the rightful struggles of all nationalities trapped within
Iran
, often arbitrarily
accusing them of treachery and having connections with foreign countries.
The
authorities have often accused the Azerbaijani activists of inflaming
racial and ethnic unrest within the country. On the contrary, we have
always stated that our main objective is ending fascism and establishing
democracy for the benefit of all indigenous peoples of
Iran
. But the fact
remains that, 80 years of an apartheid-style Iranian governments have
caused indescribable damage to all non-Persian indigenous peoples of the
country, in particular to Southern Azerbaijanis. Clearly, when policies of
the government intent to treat non-Persians as inferior citizens. Thus,
public dissatisfaction and distrust of the authorities will escalate
substantially.
Regarding
the suppression of Azerbaijani activists during the anniversary of 22 May
2006, Mr Leysanli said: Once again, during the anniversary of the 22
May 2006 Mass Protests, in the most civilized manner, Azerbaijani
activists demanded their natural human rights such as right to education
in their mother language.
However,
without showing any consideration to the protesters demands, the
authorities ordered their security and information agents to suppress
these peaceful movements in the most aggressive and violent manner. As a
result, a large number of protesters were arrested and imprisoned. It is
about time that the government should realize that resorting to aggressive
measures will not prevent oppressed people from demanding their national
and human rights.
Now
a number of people including myself have been arrested and imprisoned. But
the question is: will this put an end to the ever increasing movement of
Southern Azerbaijanis particularly the young generation? Obviously, the
answer is negative.
Azerbaijani
Turkic people have always tried to demand their rights by resorting to
civilized measures such as peaceful protests and demonstrations. Naturally,
responding to their demands with unnecessary application of force and
violence may result in creation of aggressive response from them. However,
South Azerbaijani Activists are fully aware of the morality of their
movement and clearly, in spite of all the atrocities, degradations and
accusations, their praiseworthy struggle will continue.
Undoubtedly,
this year, people of
Southern Azerbaijan
will participate in
the Great Babek Assembly to express their objection to the
authorities lack of interest in the national rights of our people.
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