Azerbaijani public figures demand to stop attacks on journalists

Baku hosted a forum in support of the freedom of the press. Representatives of the free press and the civil society of Azerbaijan demanded to find and punish the perpetrators of the attack on the observer of the "Azadlyg" (Freedom) newspaper Seimur Khaziev.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Khaziev was kidnapped on Saturday, March 26, at night in the village of Dzheiranbatan, 20 km to the north of the capital of Azerbaijan. The kidnappers beat him, took away two mobile phones and withdrew the database from his laptop. The journalist believes that the attack on him had to do with his professional journalism, critical publications addressed to the authorities and his active civil position.

The forum, which was attended by over 100 persons, was organized by a group of leading journalists of Azerbaijan in the context of the journalist's abduction and beating. The event under the slogan "Stop pressure on free press!" was held with participation of media professionals, civil society activists and leaders of oppositional forces at the headquarters of the Democratic Party of Azerbaijan (DPA).

"The attack on Seimur Khaziev is another link in the chain of attacks on the free press in Azerbaijan," said Ganimat Zakhidov, editor-in-chief of the "Azadlyg". He expressed doubt that law enforcers would ever solve the crime, because "nobody had been punished for all the previous attacks on journalists."

Mekhman Aliev, director of the "Turan" Agency, told about the meeting in the evening of Monday, March 28, of representatives of the journalistic community with Ramil Usubov, Interior Minister, who believes that the attack on the journalist "could be made by some third force, interested in fomenting tension in the society."

The suffered Khaziev regards the attack on him as "an integral part of all previous crimes against journalists and put the responsibility for it on law enforcement bodies."

In May 2010, when Khaziev was kept at a temporary detention facility of the Binagadin district police department, where he served his administrative penalty, he was taken out for a short time and beaten. "Those who did it later sanctioned my kidnapping and beating three days ago. Therefore, the authorities know who did it," said Khaziev.

Sardar Dzhalaloglu, leader of the Democratic Party of Azerbaijan (DPA), said that in 2003 an attack was made on DPA activists; and the names of the culprits were handed over to the police. However, the perpetrators were never punished. "Crimes are not solved because they are ordered by the authorities themselves," he said.

He called on the press to stand aside of the authorities and avoid getting handouts from them in the form of "governmental help" and "state awards".

Ali Kerimli, leader of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), noted that "despite the narrowed range of the independent press, it continues influencing the society; therefore, the authorities are striving to silence journalists." In other countries, perpetrators of crimes against journalists are already evidencing against customers, said Kerimli, hinting at the involvement of the former Ukrainian president Leonid Kuchma in investigation in Kiev into the murder case of journalist Gongadze. "Such day will come for you," said Kerimli addressing the Azerbaijani authorities.

Lala Shovket, leader of the Liberal Party, spoke in a similar way. In her opinion, the crime against Khaziev is backed by those in power. "By such actions they'll only accelerate the revolutionary processes in the country," she said.

When summing up the meeting, Zakhidov, editor-in-chief of the "Azadlyg", said that within 10 days another, a more representative forum would be held in defence of the freedom of the press. If the persons who kidnapped and beat Khaziev are not found, the journalistic community would resort to mass protest actions.

It proved impossible to receive comments from the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) about unsolved crimes against journalists. The ministry just noted that the investigation into journalist Khaziev's beating was under personal control of the minister, and the results of the investigation would be reported to the public.

In the meantime, reactions continue to come to Khaziev's beating from international media organizations.

Thus, the Reporters without Borders (RwB) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) have issued statements condemning the journalist's kidnapping and beating. The statement of the RwB treats the incident as "growth of violence against journalists who criticize the authorities."

The RwB urge the Azerbaijani authorities to stop violence against journalists and prepare to hold - in mid-April - talks with the members of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on violations of the freedom of speech in Azerbaijan.

Dunja Mijatovic, Special Representative of the OSCE on the Freedom of Media, has condemned the kidnapping and beating of Seimur Khaziev. In her statement on March 28 she urged the Azerbaijani authorities to take urgent action towards the end of violence against journalists.

"The authorities should take proactive steps in order to stop violence against journalists and ensure safe climate for their work. This is a key commitment of the authorities; however, the Government of Azerbaijan fails to fulfil this demand," says the statement of Ms Mijatovic, which arrived to the "Caucasian Knot" from the Baku-based OSCE Office.

According to Dunja Mijatovic, "the authorities should publicly condemn the kidnapping and to undertake everything to clear this and all the previous crimes committed against journalists, including the murder of Elmar Guseinov committed in 2005."

The victim Seimur Khaziev said that he had undergone medical examination at the Baku City Clinical Centre No. 1. According to his story, he received a medical certificate stating numerous bruises from beatings. According to the certificate, the right-hand side of his breast suffered most. Khaziev is still having problems with breathing.