Azerbaijani journalist fined after covering protest action

On Thursday (September 24), Anar Abdulla, a journalist, was detained over a conflict with a local resident while filming a solo picket in Baku. The police fined the journalist for petty hooliganism. Abdulla asserts that he was attacked by a provocateur.

"Djeiran Rakhbari, a teacher, was holding a protest action in the form of a solo picket in front of the Ministry of Education. Suddenly a pro-government activist attacked me and started waving his arms. It was a provocation. The police took away us both," Mr Abdulla said.

Emin Guseinov, Director of the Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS), has treated the police's actions as illegal.

"The police are obliged not to interfere with the professional activities of media people," he has stated.

Djeiran Rakhbari, the picketer, said that she spoke out against violations of the law and the rights of employees of the gymnasium, where she works.