More than 50 activists were detained during a 30 March protest in Baku in defence of opposition activist Alizamin Salayev. Most of them, a few hours later, were released without punishment. However, four protesters – Babek Hasanli, Kenan Ibrahimli, Huseyn Ibrahimov and Javid Zulfugarli were administratively fined 50 manats ($30), said Zafar Ahmedov of the human rights organization “Line of Defense”.
At the same time, he said, Jeyhun Novruzov, head of Sabail district organization of the PPFA and party activist Sahladar Iskenderli were not released from the police.
Besides, journalist Nurlan Jafari, who had been subjected to physical pressure while filming the demonstration and had his mobile phone damaged, was detained and administratively arrested for 15 days after the rally.
After the rally, Jafari wrote a Facebook address to the Interior Ministry, complaining about the actions of police officers.
https://www.facebook.com/100010805351929/videos/124419703855604
He reported that he was filming for Time TV at the rally, but a police officer in plain clothes used force against him and as a result damaged the screen of his mobile phone.
After publishing this post, Jafari was detained by men in plain clothes as he was leaving the cafe.
Two hours later, Jafari called his colleague and informed him that the Yasamal district court had issued a 15-day administrative detention order against him.
Ibrahim Amiraslanly, a spokesman for the Interior Ministry press office, confirmed the journalist’s arrest.
According to him, “during an illegal action”, Jafari “rudely obstructed the official work of the police officers by trying to hit them with his hand”.
“In connection with the said acts, he was invited to the police body where he was presented with evidence of his unlawful acts. The material collected against him was sent to the court, by whose decision he was arrested for 15 days,” Amiraslanly said.