Two journalists beaten in Azerbaijan

Two Azerbaijani journalists - Elmin Badalov, a correspondent of the newspaper "Eni Musavat" (New Musavat), and Anar Geraily, deputy editor-in-chief of the newspaper "Milli Yol" (National Way), were beaten yesterday, on July 28, in Mardakyan village in the vicinities of Baku. It happened when journalists were making photos of luxurious private residences located in the "rich men's district" of the village.

"We were making photos; suddenly two jeeps stopped near us; persons of sportive built jumped out and started beating us," Mr Badalov told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent. They took away and broke the editorial camera. Then, according to his story, the journalists were brought into some adjacent villa, where the beating continued.

"They told us that our issue would be solved after arrival of the brother-in-law of Ziya Mamedov, Minister of Transports. After a while, a man arrived dressed in a suit who told us that we had held illegal filming and, consequently, for six months we should remain "under supervision," and our phones will be tapped. He warned us against complaining anywhere. Then, we were let free," Elmin Badalov continued.

Medical aid was rendered to the journalists, who received bodily injuries, only in the evening, when they returned to their offices. The managers of the newspaper "Eni Musavat" have informed the on duty unit and the press service of the local MIA about the incident.

Today in the morning, the press service of the Ministry of Transport could not comment the information referring to the necessity "to clear out the situation with their bosses."