Yeni Musavat newspaper reporter Elmin Bedelov told the Institute for Reporters` Freedom and Safety that an investigation into the case regarding the subjection Milli Yol newspaper and pia.az website’s deputy editor Anar Garayli and himself to physical harassment was moved from Khazar District #1 to Khazar District Police Office Investigative Department.
According to Bedelov, he appealed to Khazar District Police Department #1 regarding the incident that took place on 29 July. .
“The police department gave me notification that I must have a medical examination. I had a medical examination regarding the injures I sustained to my head and other parts of my body. I was given a medical examination to see if there were any internal injuries in my head and nose. My head was x- rayed” said Bedelov. He added that he had to write an explanation of the incident again today (2 August) in the Khazar Distritc Police Office. He also added that according to appeal of Yeni Musavat Editor-in-chief Rauf Arifoglu, Press Council chairman Aflatun Amashov met with Minister of Internal Affairs Ramil Usubov.
“Aflatun Amashov said that Usubov emphasized that this issue will be investigated. After their meeting, the case was sent from the department to the office,” emphasized Bedelov.
Anar Gerayli, another journalist who was subjected to harassment, told IRFS that he appealed to the Khazar District Police Office and wrote an explanation pertaining to this incident. He added that he had a medical examination regarding his injuries.
BACKGROUND
On 28 July, journalists Elmin Bedelov and Anar Garayli were subjected to physical harassment while they were preparing a reportage about the rich in Mardakan. The photo camera that belonged to Yeni Musavat newspaper’s editorial-office was damaged. The Bedelov and Garayli said that when they wanted to take photos of the villa that was said to belong to Ziya Mammadov, they were beaten by guards. The journalists were released after being detained for 3 hours. Their photos were deleted and their memory card was broken prior to their release.