Law enforcers use force against journalists at protest rally in Baku

Law enforcers have dispersed the protesters in front of the Turkish Embassy in Baku, who demanded to release Mubariz Mansimov, an Azerbaijani entrepreneur arrested in Istanbul. Law enforcers used force also against journalists.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Mubariz Mansimov, an Azerbaijani billionaire, was detained in Istanbul on March 15. He is accused of having links with the FETO (Fethullahçı Terör Örgütü – Fethullahist Terror Organization), the organization headed by the religious preacher, Fethullah Gülen, treated as a terrorist one in Turkey.

On March 18, a group of people gathered in front of the Turkish Embassy in Baku to protest against Mansimov's arrest and demand his release. They questioned the charges against Mansimov.

The protesters could not complete their action as policemen began dispersing them.

Ramin Deco, a reporter of the Radio Liberty, has told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that he had suffered during the dispersal. "Initially, policemen behaved calmly, but after a few minutes they received an order; they not only began dispersing the protesters, but also attacked us, journalists," Mr Deco has stated.

According to Tebriz Mirzoev, a freelance journalist, about ten journalists suffered. "We were in yellow identification vests of the press and had press cards with us. However, they rushed to beat us and damaged some recording devices," Mr Mirzoev told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on March 18, 2020 at 10:38 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.