15 March 2020, 11:50
Azerbaijani oppositional journalist suspected of hooliganism
A criminal case on hooliganism has been opened against Tezekhan Miralamli, a correspondent of the "Azadlyg" newspaper, a member of the oppositional Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA). His party colleagues are sure that he is prosecuted for political reasons.
Miralamli said that a criminal case against him was opened on the complaint of Ata Abdullaev, who presents himself as a video blogger. "On February 26, 2020, we, PFPA leaders and activists, visited the memorial to the victims of the Khojaly tragedy. As a journalist, I covered this event. Ata Abdullaev used foul language against our party. I warned him and asked to stop it. And he filed a complaint to the police that I had allegedly hit him," Mr Miralamli said.
A few days later, Miralamli was summoned to the police station.
Gezyal Bairamly, the PFPA Deputy Chair, has treated the criminal case against Miralamli as "far-fetched." "Ata Abdullaev is a well-known person. At one time, he participated as a 'police assistant' in detaining protesters. Last year he tried to provoke Ali Kerimli, the PFPA leader, on the day of the Khojaly tragedy, shouting insults at him near the memorial," Ms Bairamly has stated.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on March 14, 2020 at 10:39 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Author: Faik Medjid Source: CK correspondent
