PROMINENT AZERBAIJAN MEDIA RIGHTS ACTIVIST BEATEN

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAKU 000557

SIPDIS

FOR EUR/CARC

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/17/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM AJ
SUBJECT: PROMINENT AZERBAIJAN MEDIA RIGHTS ACTIVIST BEATEN
BY LOCAL POLICE OFFICIAL

Classified By: Ambassador Anne E. Derse for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: On June 14, Emin Huseynov, director of the
Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Security (IRFS),was
arrested and beaten by an unidentified, non-uniformed
individual. Huseynov was detained while covering a
commemoration of Che Guevera's birthday, along with 21 other
participants. According to a June 16 IRFS statement,
Huseynov's condition has stabilized, but he remains
hospitalized. We have raised his case with officials in the
Presidential Apparat and are seeking to contact the local
police department. The Apparat is preparing a statement on
the case soon. End Summary.


2. (C) Approximately thirty police officers disrupted a
celebration of Che Guevera's birthday at the Alaturk cafe in
downtown Baku on June 14. Policearrested 22 participants,
including the directorof the Institute for Reporters'
Freedom and Security (IRFS) Emin Huseynov, who was covering
the event in his capacity as an independent journalist. The
police charged the detainees with not possessing an identity
card. Huseynov told us he had his identity card during the
event, but nevertheless was taken to the 22nd Nasimi police
station in the chaos of the police raid, probably because he
got into an altercation with one of the officers. A Cuban
diplomat reportedly also was attending, but he left after
police broke up the event.


3. (C) Journalist Idrak Abbasov, who also is affiliated with
IRFS, told us Huseynov got into an argument with a police
officer at the station when police sought to force the
detainees to sign incriminating confessions. According to a
June 16 IRFS statement, a plain-clothed individual was
questioning Huseynov at the police station and hit Huseynov's
neck several times with a gun, while also threatening to
shoot Huseynov if he did not sign the confession. Huseynov
refused to sign the confession. After being hit, Huseynov
requested that the police call an ambulance because he felt
nauseous and dizzy. The police released Huseynov after
several hours. When the Embassy learned of Huseynov's
detention, Emboff phoned the police station to express
concern about the incident. According to the IRFS statement,
22nd police district deputy police chief Azer Karimzade was
also present during Huseynov's interrogation when the unnamed
plain-clothed individual who hit Huseynov.


4. (C) Shortly after leaving the police station, Huseynov
fainted, according to Abbasov. His IRFS colleagues
reportedly had difficulty getting an ambulance to take him to
the hospital and for the hospital staff to treat him. PAO
and Emboffs were able briefly to see Huseynov on June 14 at
the hospital.


5. (C) Huseynov's health appears to be recovering, as he was
transferred from the intensive care unit to a normal hospital
room on June 15. He also felt well enough to give an
interview to Radio Liberty on June 17. Huseynov said he
plans to file a criminal complaint against the police for his
detention and abuse. Human Rights Ombudswoman Elmira
Suleymanova publicly called on the Ministry of Internal
Affairs to conduct a fair investigation into Huseynov's case.


6. (C) PAO contacted Presidential Administration
Public-Political Affairs Chief Ali Hasanov on June 17 to
express our concern about this incident, noting that it
likely would be a subject of discussion during the June 26-28
visit of DRL A/S Kramer. Hasanov said an internal meeting
about this incident was scheduled for today and he would be
making a public statement about the episode soon. We also
are contacting Nasimi police district and Ministry of
Internal Affairs officials to express our concern.


7. (C) Comment: As Director of IRFS, Huseynov has come to
increasing prominence over the last year as an outspoken
advocate for media rights. His scuffle with police came just
a few days after he was detained briefly by police while
covering a protest of corruption in the education system. He
also faced government pressure in 2006, following his
prominent role in a BBC documentary about Azerbaijan,s 2005
parliamentary election. We will again call upon the
authorities to condemn violence against journalists and to
conduct an immediate and thorough investigation of this most
recent incident. We urge Washington officials who are in
contact with GOAJ officials to also underscore USG concern.
DERSE