Azerbaijani journalist Abbasov accused of disorderly conduct

In Azerbaijan, Idrak Abbasov, an employee of the newspapers "Aina" (Mirror) and the Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS), whose relatives were attacked on September 9, is accused of violating the law. The journalist asserts that he committed no offences.

The 29th division of the Yasamal Police Department has started an inquiry into Abbasov's actions, who is accused that, while driving a car, he threatened the driver of another car.

"In fact, everything was vice versa. On Saturday morning (on September 10), I was bringing food to the hospital to my parents. Along the way I was chased by a Mercedes with number plate KU-342. The people in the Mercedes ordered me to stop; however, I managed in my old Zhiguli-7 to escape and 'get lost' among buses on the Circle 'January 20'. I reported about the incident to the on duty unit of the local MIA; they recommended me to address the 29th branch of the Yasamal ROVD. But now, I'm myself accused of hooliganism! All this indicates that all the problems of our family have to do with my journalism and human rights activities. I wrote more than once about the arbitrariness of the company 'Binagadi Oil', which is demolishing citizens' houses due to lack of documents without due judicial decisions," said Abbasov.