AZERBAIJANI OPPOSITION FIGURE AMNESTIED.

Azerbaijani president Heydar Aliyev yesterday ordered the release from detention of Arif Pashaev, a prominent figure in the opposition Popular Front. Aliev determined that his May decree which amnestied thousands of detainees applies to Pashaev as well. Considered second only to former president Abulfaz Elchibey in the Popular Front hierarchy, Pashaev had been detained in 1993 and charged with having surrendered Lachin to Armenian forces in the Karabakh war the preceding year. Pashaev’s guilt was not proven and he managed in 1994 to escape from a high security prison, but surrendered voluntarily afterward. Judicial authorities were preparing another case against Pashaev when Aliyev amnestied him. (Interfax, July 10)

Azerbaijan Criticizes Russian, OSCE Handling of Karabakh Talks.