MP: Kidnapping of Journalist Joint Operation of Special Services of Azerbaijan and Georgia

Baku / 09.06.17 / Turan: Member of the Human Rights Committee of the Azerbaijani Parliament from the ruling party, MP Elman Nasyrov said in an interview with Radio Azadlig that the detention of the journalist Afgan Mukhtarli was the result of a joint Georgian-Azerbaijani "successful" special operation. According to him, Mukhtarli was detained because he was the most active member of the network formed in Tbilisi against the Azerbaijani authorities, and the enemy of the state.

"The analysis of the incident shows that Afgan Mukhtarli is only one member of a large network. Large political forces gathered people like Afgan in Georgia, and if was only for Afgan, of course, it would not be needed to arrest him." The political network in Georgia, of which Mukhtarli is a part, commits sabotage actions in Azerbaijan and, naturally, they would resist his detention in Azerbaijan and protect him. From this point of view, this joint step was the result of the work of the special services of Azerbaijan and Georgia," the MP said.

According to him, the Azerbaijani special services worked professionally and were able to bring Mukhtarli to Azerbaijan without any problems and confrontation.

"They brought the criminal to Azerbaijan, which is one of the most successful special operations of the special services of Azerbaijan," he said.

The State Security Service (SSS) of Georgia made a statement in response to the statements of the Azerbaijani MP Elman Nasyrov that the kidnapping of journalist Afgan Mukhtarli was a joint Georgian-Azerbaijani special operation. In its statement, the Georgian SSS categorically refutes these allegations, reports www.apsny.ge.

"The statement of Azerbaijani MP Elman Nasyrov that the detention of the journalist Afgan Mukhtarli was the result of joint work of the special services of Georgia and Azerbaijan does not correspond to reality. The SSS categorically denies the information disseminated by the MP and any connection of SSS with the case of Afgan Mukhtarli.

In the case of the Azerbaijani journalist Afgan Mukhtarli, the Ministry of the Interior of Georgia conducts an investigation under Art. 143 of the Criminal Code, which implies "illegal deprivation of liberty," the statement says. -0-