In Baku, about 50 people pay tribute to memory of journalist Rasim Aliev

In Azerbaijan, activists from of the media, civil society and opposition have held an action to pay tribute to memory of journalist Rasim Aliev, who died two years ago after being beaten. Speakers who delivered their speeches during the action held the authorities of the country responsible for the journalist's death, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on August 8, 2015, Rasim Aliev was beaten and he died in hospital on the other day.

About 50 participants of the action claimed impunity of crimes against journalists in Azerbaijan. Investigative journalist Shakhveled Chobanoglu reminded the people that murderers of journalist Elmar Guseinov and journalist Rafiq Tagi had not yet been arrested.

In its turn, the Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS) notes two weeks before his death, Rasim Aliev received threats in connection with his professional activities. However, the police refused to provide guards for the journalist.

The IRFS has reminded the people that in 2012, journalist and publicist Rafiq Tagi, another critic of the authorities, died after an attack on him. Then the authorities associated the murder with activities of Islamic fanatics and closed the investigation into the crime.

The IRFS has urged the authorities to re-investigate the murders of Rasim Aliev and Elmar Guseinov, Alim Kazymly, Novruzali Mamedov, Rafiq Tagi, and Mekhman Galendarov.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.