Intigam Aliev: detention of activists who promoted reading books in Baku is illegal

The detention of three young men, who encouraged people to read books, is illegal, said Intigam Aliev, the head of the Society of Legal Education.

On February 5, the young people from the youth organization "Dalga" (Wave) staged a flash mob in central Baku, calling on citizens to read books, and handed out leaflets. Law enforcement authorities detained arrested Salekh Mehtizade, the leader of the "Dalga", an activist Kamran Gasanov and a former member of the movement Farid Aiyubov. The detainees were taken to the 9^th Sabail district police station.

According to the police spokesman, the detainees were subjected to a preventive conversation, received a verbal warning and set free.

The action was of enlightenment nature; and the detainees have not violated any laws, said Salekh Mekhtizade.

"We handed out leaflets listing 24 books recommended for reading: both by modern Azerbaijani authors and classics of world literature," Mehtizade told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

According to his story, the police accused the young men of their alleged illegal activities.

A lawyer Intigam Aliev, the head of the Society of Legal Education, believes that the police are trying to suppress any political activity among the youth.

"This was not a meeting, which is regulated by the law on the freedom of assembly; therefore, the young people did not need any agreement of their actions. It's also wrong to blame them for illegal advertising, because they did not pursue any commercial benefits," Intigam Aliev told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

The press service of the local Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) refused to comment, citing a lack of information about the detention of the performers of the yesterday's flash mob.

See earlier reports: "Arrested leader of "ReAl" Ilgar Mamedov nominated as presidential candidate," "Kerimli: accusation of Tofig Yagublu is "politically motivated"," "Baku protests against "Stone Dreams" by Aylisli."