Journalist Idrak Abbasov asks Azerbaijani President for protection

In Azerbaijan, journalist Idrak Abbasov appealed to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev, heads of power agencies, and human rights defenders with a request to ensure his safety.

On April 18, Idrak Abbasov was severely beaten in Baku. The journalist recorded a video of the confrontation between local residents and staff members of the security service of the state oil company "SOCAR", who demolished houses of citizens. On August 29, Idrak Abbasov claimed being subjected to pressure in connection with his professional journalist's activities.

In his appeal, addressed to Ilham Aliev, Idrak Abbasov asks the President to protect his family members. The journalist, who recently underwent a surgery, states that his wife noticed unidentified men, who were photographing their house.

Idrak Abbasov states that suspicious persons were also seen near the house of his father, located in the same village.

Meanwhile, Rovnag Abdullaev, President of the state oil company, denied allegations that on April 18, the staff members of the security service of his company beat journalist Idrak Abbasov. According to him, they did not do anything illegal, just "slightly exceeded their power", the "Contact.az" reports.

However, the journalist was hospitalized precisely after the incident with the staff members of the company "SOCAR". This was noted by the author of the blog Gorgud, Azerbaijan, Baku on the "Caucasian Knot".

"That's it. 'Slightly exceeded power' has led to injuries, because of which the man underwent the surgery. They should report something; at least, they should reprimand someone or do something like that..." the blogger writes in his today's post "Idrak Abbasov's Case".