Journalist Mekhman Guseinov in Azerbaijan released from custody

Late in the evening of June, 13, Mekhman Guseinov, press photographer of the Institute of Freedom and Safety of Reporters (IFSR) accused of disorderly conduct, was released from custody in Baku.

Earlier, the "Caucasian Knot" reported that at 18:00, June, 12, Mekhman Guseinov was summoned to Sabaiil district Police Department of Baku. After three-hour interrogation he was told that he was detained for suspicion of committing actions falling within clause 221.1 (disorderly conduct) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan stipulating penalty of up to five years of imprisonment.

Sabaiil district court under the chairmanship of judge Rauf Akhmedov brought a verdict of Guseinov's release from custody dismissing the investigation's motion of preventive punishment in form of arrest.

However, the court did not stop criminal proceeding against the journalist. Now, within the period of investigation Guseinov will be under police control. In the opinion of the journalist's attorney, the decision of his release was politically motivated.

"The statements of PACE reporters at today's press conference according to which Public prosecutor's office informed them that Guseinov would be released testify to that", the lawyer said.

He called Guseinov's release a positive decision and expressed a hope that the journalist would be exculpated. Guseinov is incriminated in "offence and using violence against an officer of hit squad of a quick-reaction regiment of the Ministry of Interior Affairs" at the moment when the reporter was video filming an action of protest of "Public Chamber" on May, 21, in Fontanov (Fountains) square.

However, the defense considers that Guseinov in fact just expressed his indignation when a policeman destroyed his video camera while he was video filming scenes of violence against protesting women.

Experts point out that Guseinov actively covered actions of protest during "Eurovision-2012" contest in Baku. "If Mekhman Guseinov is convicted international organizations will acknowledge him "prisoner of conscience", publicist Shahvalad Chobanoglu considers.

Media expert Alesker Mamedli emphasized that facts of violations of the journalists' rights were never investigated.

Rasul Djafarov, Head of "Human Rights Club", considers that criminal proceedings against Guseinov are aimed at pressure on his brother Emin Guseinov who heads one of the leading human rights centers of Azerbaijan, i.e. the Institute of Freedom and Safety of Reporters (IFSR).