On 14 June, Emin Huseynov (right), the chairman of IRFS, was subjected to police brutality, after which he was detained during a police raid of an event being held at the “Alaturka-Cafe”, dedicated to 80th birthday of Ernesto Che Guvera. (17-JUN-08)
Written by Shahla Ismayilova /HRH Azerbaijan on the basis of information from IRFS, Turan News Agency, Yeni Musavat newspaper, photos from IRFS
Incident description
Emin Huseynov was monitoring the event as an official representative of IRFS, along with two other IRFS employees – Rasim Aliyev and Mirrahim Hasanov – and informed police of this when they arrived. Despite this, Huseynov, Aliyev, and Hasanov were detained, along with approximately 20 other participants of the event.
At Nasimi District Police Station #22, when Huseynov expressed protest against the fingerprinting and photographing of every single detainee, he was separated from everyone else, and put into the office of the police station’s deputy chief, Azer Karimzadeh. At least four people, a mixture of uniformed and civilian-clothed law enforcement officers, went into the room with Huseynov. In particular, one man with an athletic build, who was wearing civilian clothes and sunglasses, began to threaten Huseynov. The man took out a Makarov gun, slammed it on the table between the two of them, and made death threats against Huseynov, saying, “I’ll destroy you,” “I’ll arrest you,” and “I’ll bury you.”
At the entrance to the police department Huseynov was met by IRFS co-founder, “Ayna” and “Zerkalo” Newspaper correspondent Iddrak Abbasov. Huseynov told him that he had been subjected to physical and psychological pressure. In particular he noted being struck on the back of the neck several times with the handle of a gun, and asked Abbasov to call an ambulance. Abbasov observed Huseynov was having difficulty walking. He and human rights activist Arzu Abdullayev, who was also present, approached the police department and asked them to summon an ambulance, however they rufused. According to Abbasov, Huseynov then lost consciousness.
Hospitalization
An ambulance eventually did arrive at the scene, and Huseynov was to the Centralized Emergency Medical Assistance Hospital. Doctor Galib Ibrahimov said, that Huseynov sustained head and brain trauma, but his condition is stable. According to Ibrahimov, Huseynov is in neurological shock, but his life is not in danger. Huseynov has been kept in the critical care department and has regained consciousness.
National reaction
Information about police pressure on Emin Huseynov, director of Institute for Reporters Freedom and Safety, is not true to the facts, Ehsan Zahidov, Interior Ministry’s press officer said. He said Emin Huseynov’s case is investigated. On June 14 a group of young people staged “unauthorized action.” In order to identify the participants of the action, over 20 people were taken to Nasimi region police station No 22. “After explanatory work all detainees were freed. At that moment Emin Huseynov felt bad and we called first aid. Medical examination established that deterioration of his health condition is connected with his disease. Huseynov’s blood pressure increased up to 190 and he lost consciousness.
Doctors have made tomography of his head and neck. Neurologist Naila Azizova told TURAN after council of physicians that his neck and head have not been injured. “We think that Emin Huseynov has symptoms of vascular dystonia, which is characterized by vegetocascular paroxysms,” she said. Scientists call this condition vegetative dysfunction.
International reaction
The Committee to Protect Journalists is outraged by the police beating of Emin Huseynov, head of the Institute for Reporters§´ Freedom and Safety. “We are appalled by this brazen attack on our colleague Emin Huseynov,” CPJ Europe and Central Asia Program Coordinator Nina Ognianova said. “We call on the highest authorities in Azerbaijan to investigate this incident and bring those responsible to justice.”
“We are deeply concerned about the incident happened with journalist Emin Huseynov,” Jonathan Henick, head of U.S. Embassy’s public relations department said. “I have visited Huseynov in the hospital, his health condition is grave,” said Henick. He expressed doubts as to validity of Huseynov’s detention by police. “As far as we know, Huseynov has not committed any illegal actions,” added Henick. Henick expressed regret that pressure on free press has been continuing in Azerbaijan during the past several years. “Huseynov is among those, who actively defend free press and journalists,” said Henick.
The Human Rights House Foundation (HRHF) and Norwegian PEN condemn the alleged threats and beating by Azeri police of the human rights defender Emin Huseynov, chair of International Reporters’ Freedom and Safety. HRH F has worked with Emin Huseynov and IRFS since 2005. IRFS is a well known and professional organization in Azerbaijan working for freedom of expression and the protection of journalists.
HRHF and Norwegian PEN regret the police’s use of forced detention of participants of a peaceful event. We remind the Azerbaijani authorities to their obligation to respect freedom of assembly as established in article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and also in article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
HRHF and Norwegian PEN condemn the forced detention, which contradicts to the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan as well as to the Article 5 of the European Convention of Human Rights, which states that “Everyone, who is arrested shall be informed promptly, […] of the reasons for his arrest and the charge against him.”
HRHF and Norwegian PEN request that the police´s conduct, both during the arrests of the participants in the meeting in Alaturka Cafe, and during the interrogations at Nasimi District Police Department #22, will be thoroughly and independently investigated and that the findings of this investigation are made available to the public.
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