Today (10 May) at around 11:00 a.m. APA Information Agency Special Reporter Elbrus
Seyfullayev was subjected to police pressure while government leaders led by President Ilham Aliyev were visiting the grave of ex-president Heydar Aliyev.
According to an eyewitness who wishes to remain anonymous, the journalist was preparing reports about this visit when police interfered. When the journalist objected to this, the employees of law enforcement organs started to beat him and escorted him away from the area while using insulting expressions against him.
The journalist was taken to Police Department #28, held there for 40 minutes and then released.
APA Director Vusala Mahirgizi confirmed to the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety that the journalist was taken to the police department. However, she would not confirm or deny that Elbrus Seyfullayev was beat. “A misunderstanding occurred, and they apologized about this incident,” added Mahirgizi. She emphasized that they are not going to file a complaint about the incident.
Seyfullayev told IRFS the same things, expressing that the incident was a misunderstanding.
Today in Baku the 85th birthday of ex-president of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev, the father of the president Ilham Aliyev, and “Gul Bayrami” (Flower Holiday) are being widely celebrated.