Azerbaijani Opposition Activist Released Early From Jail

Azerbaijani opposition activist Elshan Hasanov

BAKU -- An activist of Azerbaijan's Musavat (Equality) opposition party has been freed from prison after he was granted an early release.

Elshan Hasanov was arrested on April 2 along with 13 other activists while taking part in an antigovernment protest in Baku which was broken up by police.

The demonstration was organized by opposition activists amid calls to hold a series of protests similar to those in the Arab world.

Hasanov was sentenced in August to 18 months in jail but later his term was shortened to one year.

His relatives told RFE/RL that Hasanov, who is in poor health, was released on February 22.

He had been granted early release the previous day after serving half of his sentence.