On 27 August in the village of Nehrem, in Azerbaijan’s Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan, a confrontation occurred between village residents and police.
During the confrontation, three journalists; Radio Liberty correspondents Malahat Nasibova and Ilgar Nasibov, and Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety correspondent Elman Abbasov were beaten. (29-AUG-08)
Written by Shahla Ismayilova/HRH Azerbaijan on the basis of materials from Azadlig radio, Turan Information Agency, Yeni Musavat newspaper, IRFS; photos by IRFS
“We were attacked by members of the village’s administration, the chairman of the municipality and people in civilian clothes,” said Elman Abbasov. “The 7-8 people who attached us were intoxicated. At the time of the incident, these violently grabbed the video camera and dictaphone I had with me, as well as the Radio Liberty correspondents’ photo camera and dictaphone, and Malahat Nasibova’s mobile telephone. They took them away, smashed them on the ground and kicked them. These people also continuously slapped, kicked and punched us. As a result of this, the screen of IRFS’ camera was broken, and my colleagues and I have sustained serious injuries. The video camera was recording directly onto a DVD disk and when it hit the ground this disk was destroyed, as was the recording from the incident. Police were present and witness this incident, but did nothing to intervene.”
Later, beaten journalists have appealed to Babek region’s Prosecutor’s office and Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Prosecutor’s Office. In their appeal, the journalists demand the investigation of the incident, punish those who attacked them, and bring them to responsibility according to the article 163 of Criminal Code of Azerbaijan.
The health of the journalists that were beaten in Nehrem village of Azerbaijan’s Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan on 27 August has deteriorated. While the journalists did not immediately feel the effects of the 27 August incident, they began receiving treatment.
“We gave information about how this incident occurred and the people who put pressure on us,” said Malahet Nasibova. Nasibova said that on Friday, August 29, the journalist appealed to the hospital of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic about their injuries, but workers their refused to examine them or provide them with medical care. “My condition has improved. But Ilgar still has pain in his stomach and head.”
On 28 August, the US Embassy expressed its opinion about the incident. Head of Public Relations Department of the Embassy Terry Davidson said that the Embassy appealed to the Azerbaijani government about this incident and asked for those who attacked the journalists to be brought to responsibility. “In a democratic society journalists should be able to fulfill their professional duties without interference and physical pressure of course,” said Davidson.
