18 May 2014, 21:45
Azerbaijan: colleagues of attacked Radio Liberty journalist call MIA to hold inquiry
The managers of the Azerbaijani Service of Radio Liberty have appealed to Ramil Usubov, the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of Azerbaijan, demanding to investigate the attack on the reporter Islam Shikhaliev, committed on May 16, while he was covering a confrontation at the smelting factory in Baku.
According to the above managers, the reporter arrived at the factory "Atahan Demir Senaye" on the editorial assignment in connection with the received information that the factory was seized by raiders. However, a group of people attacked Shikhaliev, exerted physical pressure on him and took away his video camera and mobile phone.
The reporter received minor injuries. The appeal states that "the attacks on the reporter occurred in the presence of policemen, who, instead of intervening, chose to step aside."
Gyunai Ismajlova, a lawyer of the Institute of Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS), believes that the actions committed against the Radio Liberty reporter fall under the Criminal Code. She added that it should be also necessary to conduct an official investigation into the policemen's inaction.
Author: Faik Medzhid Source: CK correspondent
