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