Law enforcement agencies warn embassies, int`l groups
Azerbaijan`s law enforcement agencies on Tuesday
blamed media reports for misinformation about the recent arrest of
two young activists.
The Prosecutor-General`s Office and the Interior Ministry said in a joint statement that recent reports have been quoting statements by the detainees and their supporters that are far from reality, and attempts have been made to foster public opinion that the investigation is biased and to politicize the case.
The law enforcement objected to the statements on the youths` apprehension issued by the embassies and international groups accredited in Baku, labeling this as interference with Azerbaijan`s internal affairs and as pressure on the investigation.
Media reports circulated that Adnan Hajizade, a video blogger and member of the "OL!" opposition movement, and youth activist Emin Milli were arrested in Baku on July 8, after they were allegedly beaten up by two men.
Hadjiazde, 26, has worked for BP`s public relations team in Baku for several years. A spokesman for BP - one of the biggest foreign investors in Azerbaijan - said the company is very concerned about the incident and is taking it very seriously.
According to the Prosecutor-General`s Office and the Interior Ministry, Hajizade and Milli, as well as five more persons, while at the Lebanese restaurant, used foul language. After two citizens - Babek Huseynov and Vusal Mammadov - objected to their conduct, they used force against them.
Four individuals who were with Hajizade and Milli at the time managed to escape before the police arrived.
A medical expertise has revealed that Hajizade was in an intoxicated state. Huseynov, who was injured in the brawl, has been provided with first aid, while Mammadov has been hospitalized with a head injury.
According to the evidence collected, the pair were remanded in custody by a judge on July 10 for two months pending trial on hooliganism charges.
The U.S. Embassy in Baku has said it was surprised with the statement. Dmitri Tarakhovsky, its Public Diplomacy Officer, has told Radio Liberty that the foreign embassies` feedback should not be seen as meddling in law enforcement agencies` work.
"We are surprised why they look at it this way," said Tarakhovsky. "Indeed, we are concerned over the youths` arrests. We are not seeing anything in a wrong light here. We have received reports on their apprehension contradicting official information."
The US embassy issued a statement Saturday saying the activists` lawyers are being prevented from seeing them and their clients are not receiving adequate medical care. It further urged the authorities of Azerbaijan to provide Hajizada and Milli with proper legal and medical aid.
Tarakhovsky emphasized that the embassy had not leveled any demands to the authorities, but called on them to respect the rights of their citizens.
The Prosecutor-General`s Office and the Interior Ministry said in a joint statement that recent reports have been quoting statements by the detainees and their supporters that are far from reality, and attempts have been made to foster public opinion that the investigation is biased and to politicize the case.
The law enforcement objected to the statements on the youths` apprehension issued by the embassies and international groups accredited in Baku, labeling this as interference with Azerbaijan`s internal affairs and as pressure on the investigation.
Media reports circulated that Adnan Hajizade, a video blogger and member of the "OL!" opposition movement, and youth activist Emin Milli were arrested in Baku on July 8, after they were allegedly beaten up by two men.
Hadjiazde, 26, has worked for BP`s public relations team in Baku for several years. A spokesman for BP - one of the biggest foreign investors in Azerbaijan - said the company is very concerned about the incident and is taking it very seriously.
According to the Prosecutor-General`s Office and the Interior Ministry, Hajizade and Milli, as well as five more persons, while at the Lebanese restaurant, used foul language. After two citizens - Babek Huseynov and Vusal Mammadov - objected to their conduct, they used force against them.
Four individuals who were with Hajizade and Milli at the time managed to escape before the police arrived.
A medical expertise has revealed that Hajizade was in an intoxicated state. Huseynov, who was injured in the brawl, has been provided with first aid, while Mammadov has been hospitalized with a head injury.
According to the evidence collected, the pair were remanded in custody by a judge on July 10 for two months pending trial on hooliganism charges.
The U.S. Embassy in Baku has said it was surprised with the statement. Dmitri Tarakhovsky, its Public Diplomacy Officer, has told Radio Liberty that the foreign embassies` feedback should not be seen as meddling in law enforcement agencies` work.
"We are surprised why they look at it this way," said Tarakhovsky. "Indeed, we are concerned over the youths` arrests. We are not seeing anything in a wrong light here. We have received reports on their apprehension contradicting official information."
The US embassy issued a statement Saturday saying the activists` lawyers are being prevented from seeing them and their clients are not receiving adequate medical care. It further urged the authorities of Azerbaijan to provide Hajizada and Milli with proper legal and medical aid.
Tarakhovsky emphasized that the embassy had not leveled any demands to the authorities, but called on them to respect the rights of their citizens.
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