Liberation Demanded for Azerbaijani Poets

Dozens of journalists have taken part in a rally in front of the Iranian embassy in Baku, demanding the release of two Azeri writers arrested in Iran. The event was held at the initiative of the Institute for Reporters Freedom and Safety, with the participation of members of the media.

Authorities had not authorized the rally, although organizers had submitted appropriate notice. Police stopped the protesters just 10 meters from the embassy, ​​but the police did not interfere in the action. The protesters read out the resolution of the action and gave it to the embassy. The document said that the young writers Farid Hussein and Shahryar Hajizadeh arrested in Iran are held hostage in the standoff between Baku and Tehran. In a similar situation are Iranian media correspondents arrested in Azerbaijan.

 "We urge the Iranian authorities to respect the right to freedom of expression and to release Azerbaijani writers, who did not violate the laws and were arrested on trumped-up charges of violating the rules of crossing the border," the document says.

The writers were arrested in Tabriz, May 2 as they attempted to return from Tehran to Baku. On 7 August, their trial will start in Tabriz. Official Baku has sent five notes to the Iranian Foreign Ministry to demand their release, but only a week ago, Iranian authorities allowed an employee of the Azerbaijani consulate in Tabriz to visit the prisoners. -03B-