Iran admits detention of two writers from Azerbaijan

On June 21, the Iranian authorities acknowledged the fact of detention of two Azerbaijani citizens – young writers Farid Gusein and Shakhriyar Gadjizade.

On May 21, Elman Abdullaev, the press secretary of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), said that Messrs Gusein and Gadjizade had been detained by Iranian security forces and taken to some unknown place.

The young people were detained back on May 2; however, the official answer was received only now, in spite of numerous notes demanding to clarify the situation, Elman Abdullaev said on June 21.

"The response to the Iranian party says that the citizens of Azerbaijan had initiated a crime; however, what the crime had been, and what exactly they are accused of, and where they are kept is not reported," said Abdullaev.

On June 21, the Azerbaijani MFA asked in their reply message to admit the officials the Azerbaijani consulate in Tabriz to the detainees in order to get acquainted with their wellbeing and custody conditions, the "Contact Online News" reports with reference to the "Turan".

"The note also contains a request to ensure a meeting with the detainees as soon as possible," the RIA "Novosti" quotes a source from the Azerbaijani MFA.