Conformation of Azerbaijani penitentiary system to European standards debated in the Council of Europe

The program implemented by the Council of Europe on improvement of penitentiary system in Azerbaijan which is about to end is being debated.

"The efficiency of the program’s results and the necessity of continuing the cooperation between Council of Europe and Azerbaijan on improving penitentiary system was noted during the meeting," he said.

The judge said along with representatives of the Council of Europe experts from England, Germany and Czechia participated in the debates. Vefaddin Ibayev, Justice Ministry Penitentiary Service department chief Musa Humbatov and deputy prosecutor of Nakhchivan represent Azerbaijan, APA reports.

Ibayev said that the experts underlined that great improvements occurred in Azerbaijan in the penitentiary service due to the cooperation of the Council of Europe with our country within 10 years. They also noted the necessity of conforming detention places in Azerbaijan to European standards, and improving detention conditions, employment and making amendments to the legislation (full subordination of penitentiary system to Justice Ministry) and Criminal Code regarding detention conditions of suspects and prisoners.

"European experts made some proposals on detention conditions of lifers. Lifers are kept in close places and are allowed walking in the open air only an hour a day. It is proposed to improve the regime. For example, in Europe they are kept along with other prisoners in detention places. Another proposal is connected with determining the prisoner's detention place. According to the current legislation, while sentencing a man, the court determines his detention place. Council of Europe approves its determining by the leadership of detention place," he said.