Although the government of Azerbaijan claimed that so-called “political prisoners” have violated the laws of the country, human rights organizations and the Council of Europe insisted that these persons had not received a fair trial. When admitted into the Council of Europe in 2001, Azerbaijan undertook an obligation to reconsider the cases of all political prisoners and free the ones on the list of the CoE. The repeated trial of Hamidov in the summer of 2003 did not produce the change of verdict and he was once again found guilty. The majority of local analysts believed that Hamidov was kept in prison for his public threats against the Aliyev government.

With the recent decree, newly elected president Ilham Aliyev showed his willingness to open a new stage in domestic politics. The majority of observers consider him more liberal than his father and many hope that under Ilham Aliyev, there will be further steps towards democratization in the country.

Immediately after his release, Hamidov said that he had nothing against the new President and that he was looking forward to work with all political players to develop and strengthen the country. He also said that he would continue to lead his party (now renamed the Azerbaijan National Democratic Party), although refused to join any current political blocks or alliances. “There are many rumors now which party I will join. There are also those who want to use my name for their political purposes. But I will stay away from joining any political coalitions. I need time to get to know the political reality”, said Hamidov. In a press conference held on January 7, Hamidov said that he would significantly restructure his party and will run for Parliament in the 2005 elections. In the last Presidential elections, Hamidov supported the candidacy of the opposition leader Isa Gambar of the Musavat party.

The pardoning decree was met with words of praise and approval by local NGOs and human rights activists. International organizations and foreign embassies also welcomed the act. In a meeting with Foreign Minister Vilayet Guliyev, Norwegian ambassador Steinar Gil welcomed the presidential decree and expressed hope that such acts would be continued in the future. However, there are also those who believe that it was done in an effort to please the Council of Europe prior to its winter session on January 26, in which Azerbaijan’s fulfillment of its obligations will be discussed. Deputies from the opposition, representing Azerbaijan in the Council of Europe, complain that many more political prisoners still remain in prison, especially if considering the ones arrested as a result of the post-election violence in November 2003. Authorities insist that Azerbaijan has fulfilled its obligations toward the Council of Europe.

The Monitoring Committee of the Council of Europe discussed the recent events in Azerbaijan and recommended to the government to investigate the cases of those arrested in the post-election period. Although many in the opposition hope that the Council of Europe will implement sanctions towards the Azerbaijani authorities in connection with the political prisoners issue, more pragmatic analysts believe that this will not happen. Instead, Azerbaijan may be accorded some more time to improve the situation.