Oppositional journalist abducted and beaten in Azerbaijan

Today at night, Seimur Khaziev, 29, an observer of the oppositional newspaper "Azadlyg" (Freedom) and a member of the Presidium of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), was kidnapped and beaten. Currently, he is back at large.

According to Mr Khaziev himself, he got out of a bus at the entrance to the village and went home. At that moment a Mercedes minibus stopped near him.

"Six persons in masks jumped out of the van and attacked me. The put a knitted cap over my head and covered my eyes. For some 20-24 minutes I was transported in the van and received blows on my head and body. Then, they took me to some house, where I could open my eyes. Some unknown people began telling me that I should behave "reasonably" and "live as other people live, otherwise my problems will be much worse," Khaziev said today.

According to his story his kidnappers did not move any claims to his particular published articles. His detention was recorded to the video camera of a mobile phone. Then, they put him in a car again, closed his eyes and drove to some unknown place. "Some time later I was put out of the car with my hands roped," Khaziev continued.

From an occasional passer-by he learnt that he was in the village of Binagady (5 km off Baku). The man helped him to get to the capital.