02 January 2004, 12:27
Round table devoted to defense of Rauf Arifoglu
On December 26, there was a round table on the issue of stirring up actions in defense of Rauf Arifoglu, editor-in-chief of the Yeni Musavat newspaper and the vice chair of the Musavat Party. Politicians, intellectuals, leaders of journalist unions, editors of newspapers and human rights activists took part in it. The action was initiated by the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (APFP) and the Azadlyg newspaper editorial staff. On December 27, it was two months since Rauf Arifoglu had been arrested. He is charged with the organization of mass riots which took place in the capital on October 15 and 16.
Round table discussion participants criticized the statement by power representatives that Rauf Arifoglu was arrested as a party vice leader and not as a newspaper editor-in-chief. V. Mamedov suggested that Rauf Arifoglu refuse from his party post in order not to give the reason for such statements. But A. Guliyev made things clear, saying that "Rauf Arifoglu was arrested as an oppositionist."
Ali Kerimli, APFP chairman and a Milli Majlis deputy, summed up the exchange of opinions. According to him, the APFP will keep on fighting for the deliverance of all the arrested without dividing them into their own and strangers. He also spoke for the organization of mass actions in defense of the people arrested in connection with the events of October 15 and 16.
Source: Zerkalo newspaper (Azerbaijan)
