Azerbaijani Opposition Seeks President's Impeachement

President Ilham Aliyev after the 6 November elections (file photo) (epa) 14 December 2005 -- Azerbaijan's opposition leaders appealed to the country's Constitutional Court to launch an impeachment procedure against President Ilham Aliyev.

The appeal is contained in a letter signed by the leaders of the Azadliq (Freedom) and Milli Birlik (National Unity) opposition alliances, and Azerbaijan's National Independence Party.

In comments made to the Turan news agency, one Azadliq leader (Musavat party chairman Isa Qambar) explained the opposition's decision to turn to the Constitutional Court by the massive fraud he said took place during last month's parliamentary elections.

Under Azerbaijan's constitution, the president can be impeached if he is convicted of serious crimes. In that case, the Constitutional Court can ask the parliament to remove the head of state from office upon recommendations made by the Supreme Court.

(Turan/RFE/RL)