23:19, 15 November 2004

Azerbaijan citizen sues Interior Ministry

"Almost all documents are prepared to file a claim of Makhira Muradova, a Baku resident, with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) against the Azerbaijan Interior Ministry," Ms Muradova's lawyers said to the Caucasian Knot correspondent.

Makhira Muradova demands that the damage to her health done by Azerbaijan policemen should be compensated. A policeman struck her on her right eye with a baton on Azadlyg Square on October 16, 2003. The severe injury resulted in the loss of sight of the eye. The operation performed in an eye clinic did not help her; moreover, a threat of the total loss of sight appeared.

Azerbaijan doctors are not able to help Ms Muradova, and an appropriate operation can be performed only abroad. In her claims, the victim asked the court to make a decision obliging the Interior Ministry to pay $1 million in her favor. But the Azerbaijan courts denied all her claims, and she has to turn to the ECHR.

Author: Zaur Rasulzade, CK correspondent

Source: Caucasian Knot