On 16 June, former political prisoner, youth blogger Emin Milli (Abdullayev) has finally succeeded in leaving Azerbaijan to continue his education, Radio Liberty reports.
Emin Milli, awarded with John Smith Fellowship, was not allowed to cross the border on June 10. He was told that he could not leave the country as he had been released on parole.
BACKGROUND
On 8 July 2009, Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizada were sitting at a table in “Lebonese” (Livan) restaurant along with several other young adults, when two bulky and athletic men came up to them and assaulted them. Milli and Hajizada were both physically injured in the attack. Although they appealed to the police as victims, the police detained Milli and Hajizade as suspects for 48 hours but freed the attackers. Charged with hooliganism, the bloggers were sentenced to 2.5 and 2 years in jail respectively. Hajizada was released under a November 18 2010 decision of the Appeals Court, and Milli was released on November 19 by Salyan District Court.
BACKGROUND
On 8 July 2009, Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizada were sitting at a table in “Lebonese” (Livan) restaurant along with several other young adults, when two bulky and athletic men came up to them and assaulted them. Milli and Hajizada were both physically injured in the attack. Although they appealed to the police as victims, the police detained Milli and Hajizade as suspects for 48 hours but freed the attackers. Charged with hooliganism, the bloggers were sentenced to 2.5 and 2 years in jail respectively. Hajizada was released under a November 18 2010 decision of the Appeals Court, and Milli was released on November 19 by Salyan District Court.