On 15 May 2009, at approximately midnight, Musavat Youth Organization (MYO) Council member Emil Aliyev (Emil Elman) was subject to harassment in front of his house by unknown people.
The unknown people beat E.Aliyev, kicked him and injured him in different parts of his body, particularly his head and back. The Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety was told this by E. Aliyev.
According to Aliyev, on 10 May he was detained by the employees of the Sabail District Police Department Police Unit #39 and accused of “calling for an unsanctioned action” due to his dissemination of information via Facebook about a protest against “Flower Holiday,” organized in Baku on 10 May. E. Aliyev was set free after a statement was taken from him.
“I saw a file folder with my biography on the table while I was writing the statement,” said Aliyev, noting he believes the attack is directly related to his online activism. “I was asked questions about myself and my family. Then I was stalked for days and eventually this incident happened.”
Aliyev added that he will appeal to the police to investigate the incident and to provide security for him and his family.