Journalist Asks Colleagues and Human Rights Activists for Support and Protection

Baku / 20.06.20 / Turan: Journalist and activist Elchin Hasanzadeh turned to colleagues and civil society in Azerbaijan for help.

“I am engaged in journalistic activities in the city of Mingachevir. On May 9 of this year, a young activist Jeyhun Rzayev, in protest against the holding of a parade by Armenians in occupied Shusha, raised a portrait of Mammademin Rasulzadeh in front of the 1941-1945 memorial. At that moment, he was detained by a local official. I shot it on video. Later, I found out that the activist was slandered and arrested by the head of the Mingachevir housing and utilities administration, Shahriyar Mustafayev, at the direction of the head of the city, Ilham Ismayilov. Since then, both officials have not allowed me to live in the city,” Hasanzadeh writes.

According to the journalist, at first, at the request of the head of the housing office number 8 he was put out of a rented apartment.

Later, in a lawsuit from Mustafayev against Hasanzadeh, a criminal case was initiated under Art. 147.1 (slander) and 148 (insult) of the Criminal Code in connection with his critical publications on social networks.

“They present me as a “radical journalist” who violates public order,” Hasanzadeh notes.

In recent days, he has received abusive messages and threats demanding to leave Mingachevir on his Facebook page.

Hasanzadeh believes that the leadership of the city is behind these “trolls”.

Hasanzadeh asks for protection from journalist and human rights organizations.

At the same time, he pointed to the indifferent attitude to his request for protection by the head of the Press Council Aflatun Amashev.

Hasanzadeh also calls on law enforcement to ensure his safety and punish those responsible.

The editors are ready to also state the positions on this issue of other persons indicated in the message.    –06D-