In Baku, protesters demand to release Azerbaijani poets, arrested in Iran

Today, at noon, a group of Azerbaijani journalists held a protest action, demanding to release Farid Gusein and Shakhriyar Gadjizade, young Azerbaijani poets, arrested in Iran. The action, organized by the Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS), was dated to incipient litigation against the citizens of Azerbaijan, to be held on August 7.

The Baku authorities did not authorize the picket; however, despite the opposition of the police, about 20 journalists held the protest action in twenty meters from the Embassy of Iran.

The participants of the protest action hold portraits of arrested persons and posters with slogans in Azerbaijani and English languages reading: "Freedom to Azerbaijani poets, arrested in Iran!", "Freedom to Farid and Shakhriyar!", "Freedom!", "Farid and Shakhryar are prisoners of conscience!".

Shakhbaz Khuduoglu, the representative of the picketers, the editor-in-chief of the magazine "Qanun" (Law) handed to the Embassy the picket resolution, urging the Iranian authorities to release Azerbaijani poets.

"We believe that the Azerbaijani poets were arrested on fabricated charges for alleged violation of the rules of crossing the border. However, this accusation is groundless and illegal, since yet in 2011, Iran unilaterally abolished visa requirements for citizens of Azerbaijan," Emin Gusein, Director of the IRFS, quoted the text of the picket resolution.

Passers-by showed different reaction to the protest action. Some people walked by, paying no attention to the participants of the picket. Others asked about the reason for the protest action.

"Yes, I heard on TV about the arrest of Azerbaijani poets in Iran. Although I am not very aware of the reasons for their arrest; however, it is probably wrong to arrest citizens of the neighbouring country, especially the young educated people," said Sevindj Kyazimova, a 35-year-old civil servant.

Intigam Mamedrzaev, a 24-year-old student, has stated that he supports the demands of the picketers. "It is good that they conduct a protest action. We constantly hear about arrests of Azerbaijanis in Iran. However, till present, they arrested only Azerbaijanis, citizens of Iran. AT present, the Iranian authorities seem to start arresting citizens of Azerbaijan also," said Intigam Mamedrzaev.