11:29, 13 June 2013

MIA of Azerbaijan: two policemen fired for ill-treating journalists

As reported by the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of Azerbaijan, two policemen were fired for pressing journalists, when the latter covered in Baku the solidarity actions with the ongoing demonstrations in Turkey.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on June 4 Rasim Aliev and Mekhman Guseinov, employees of the Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS), said that on June 3 they were pressed by police in Baku during the solidarity action with the ongoing protests in Turkey, which was stopped by the police.

According to the MIA, two employees of the post-patrol service of the Sabail District of Baku have been dismissed, the "APA" reports.

"The investigation has revealed that the policemen had maltreated journalists during the action," the "1news.az" quotes the MIA's message.

In Azerbaijan, journalists had earlier reported about the pressure they were exposed to while covering protests. According to Emin Guseinov, the head of the IRFS, during the protest action on January 12 inBaku, held against non-combat losses in the army, policemen used force against at least 10 journalists.