Aylisli: I Was Not Released Because of Report on Government and Writer

Freed after 15 hours of detention in police in the Baku airport on 30 March, the writer Akram Aylisli told Turan IA that against him a criminal case of physical violence against the border guards is fabricated.

Aylisli was detained by the Border Service about 5 a.m. at departure to Venice Literary Festival, and was released only at 20:00.

"I was not let pass the passport control by the border guards, saying that my leaving was banned. Then me and my luggage was checked five times with the participation of customs border service, eight people altogether," said Aylisli.

After that he was passed to the police, where he stayed until late in the evening. According to the Interior Ministry press service, Aylisli was detained for creating a conflict with the customs officers.

"One of the border officers gave evidence against me that I allegedly hit him in the chest in an enclosed area where there are no surveillance cameras, so much so that it formed a bruise," said the 78-year-old writer.

Next Aylisli said they called somewhere for all the time of his detention, and clarified something. "I was taken away my passport, saying that I am an enemy of the nation and that I would be once again summoned for questioning," he said.

Aylisli said the authorities in this form aimed to prevent his participation in the Venetian literary festival. "I had to make a report with the provisional name The Government and the Writer, and they waited for my speech there," said Aylisli.

Turan IA analysts believe Aylisli’s detention shows the official version does not hold water:

1. The writer was detained before the "incident", which means that the decision was made in advance of his detention. According to the law, a restriction to leave applies if the citizen is a) a carrier of state secrets, or b) is prosecuted or convicted, or c) has to be called for military service as conscript. None of the limiting points could be ever applied to the writer.

2. The writer’s baggage was checked five times. Few people leaving the country can say their baggage has been checked at least once, not to mention five times. Most likely, the inspectors searched the Venetian report by the writer.

3. On the call of the Civil Society Protection Committee to publish the recording of the cameras on what happened to Aylisli the authorities claim the incident took place indoors. It is abnormal that the baggage check was carried out in a room without cameras. However, it is logical, if they wanted to hide the bias of the airport services to Aylisli, and the behavior of the writer himself.

4. There is also the question of how could the 78-year-old writer so much hit the border guard to leave a bruise on his chest? During the confrontation the so-called injured did not provide evidence of injury or bruise.

5. The writer was withdrawn his passport. However, a passport can be withdrawn from a person detained or convicted. After the liberation, the passport is returned.

6. Finally, Article I-60 (judicial guarantee of rights and freedoms) of the Constitution of Azerbaijan states that every person from the moment of detention, arrest or accusation has the right to be assisted by a lawyer. This right was not given to Aylisli.   -0-