On February 22, at around 4:00 pm, in the suburbs of Baku ( in the viilage of Balakhani), a 24-year-old freelance reporter Avaz Shihmamedov (Hafizli) was killed with a knife.
The murder was committed by the cousin of the deceased, Amrulla Gulaliyev,a joint statement of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Prosecutor General’s Office of the country .
According to the same source, the killer was under the influence of alcohol. He admitted that he committed the crime because of personal enmity. In fact, a criminal case has been launched.
According to unofficial data, the deceased was gay and actively defended the rights of LGBTI people.
Shihmamedov-Hafizli collaborated with various Internet resources and publications. He has repeatedly participated in protests in defense of journalists.