Mehman Huseynov: We are kept as hostages

The family of Emin Huseynov, a human rights activist, director of the Institute for Reporters Freedom and Safety (IRFS) thanked the Government of Switzerland and the Embassy in Baku for the help and protecting him within 10 months, ​​said the brother of human rights defender, blogger Mehman Huseynov in an interview with Turan and radio "Voice of America."

He confirmed that Huseynov called home after departure, and is now in Switzerland. Emin was able to leave the country after insistent requests and negotiations between the authorities of Switzerland and Azerbaijan. It happened on the day of  opening day the European Games.  Huseynov left Azerbaijan by plane  of the  Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Buhkalter who arrived in Baku.

Prior to that, for 10 months  Emin was hiding from arrest in the embassy  of Switzerland in the center of Baku. During this time his health deteriorated, and was severely affected by injuries he got during dispersal of the rally in 2003. Now Emin  is being treated in Switzerland, said his brother.

On the other hand, Mehman Huseynov  for four  years can not leave the country.  His the passport and identity card was taken away without  explanation.

"I think that  Emin will ask for  the  meeting with the family, and I also will appeal to the  Minister of the Interiorfor the request to visit my brother,"  said Mehman Huseynov.

He also said that during his stay in the Swiss embassy Emin his  family was  pressured. So, Mehman several times was actually abducted and taken to the Prosecutor Office, and his parents were interrogated.

"My brother  has been actually expelled from the country. Because of his human rights work  a lawsuit was fabricated  against him. I hope that  they  will return my passport, identity card, so that we can go and see my brother. Otherwise, it turns out that we are kept  here as hostages," said Mehman Huseynov. -06D-