For last year there are received numerous reports about the cases of intimidation and harassment to mass media representatives. The long list of attacks, arrests, threats is complemented by one more new case – the case of journalist Hakimeldostu Mehdiyev (right), the Nakhichevan correspondent of “Yeni Musavat” Newspaper, who was detained and heavily beaten by Police and representatives of the National Sceurity Ministry. (01-OCT-07)
Written by Shahla Ismailova/HRH Azerbaijan on the basis of information from Yeni Musavat Nespaper, Turan Information Agency, IRFS; photo from IRFS
On 22 September 2007 Hakimeldostu Mehdiyev was detained by the Sharur Region police and the National Security Ministry. During the time of his detainment, Mehdiyev was beaten by police and representatives of the National Security Ministry. In the evening on the same day, Mehdiyev was released. However on 23 September 2007 police came to Mehdiyev’s house and took him to the local police station. There, he was accused of violating Criminal Code article 310.1 (Not obeying police orders), taken to court and ultimately sentenced to 15 days of imprisonment. Four days into his prison sentence, Mehdiyev was released, and prison officials told the journalist that he was “forgiven.”
Mehdiyev sent appeals to the Ministry of Interior, Prosecutor General, Nakhchivan Supreme Council Chairman Vasif Talibov, and the National Security Ministry’s Sharur Region Branch. In the appeals, Mehdiyev demands that he must be given compensation for the moral and physical damage he suffered while in detainment, as well as compensation for his brothers’ trade objects which were destroyed while he was in prison.
