A writer who underwent an assault in Azerbaijan associates the attempt with his writings

Rafig Tagi, writer of political essays, who underwent an assault on November, 19, in Baku does not rule out that the motive for the attempt might have been his publications in which he touched upon religious issues.

During investigation it was established that an unknown person inflicted Tagi multiple knife wounds near his house and escaped from the scene.

Representatives of Azerbaijani community estimate the assault as an encroachment upon freedom of speech. The victim’s friend Shahbaz Khudoglu, expert in the sphere of media rights, Manager of “Ganun” publishing house, is sure that the assault at Tagi was a “targeted action to kill the writer”. In Khudoglu’s opinion, Tagi survived only thanks to lucky chance. “A book in his bag with which he screened his heart saved him”, he said.

Rafig Tagi himself told the details of what had happened to him in his interview for radio “Svoboda” Azerbaijani service. According to him, the attacker while thrusting at him said nothing but “felt very uneasy which could be sensed by his hurried breathing”. Tagi said that the man was alone. After stabbing Tagi with a knife seven times the attacker escaped in the direction where he had appeared from. The writer thinks a car might be waiting for him there.

Speaking of possible motives of the crime Tagi said that he had no personal hostility with anyone. “I suppose I could be attacked for my writings because the Iranian ayatollahs had once issued a fatwa for my death. I have touched upon religious issues in my writings”, Tagi said.