On 10 May 1996, Eltchine Husseinbeili, correspondent for the
Azeri-language service of Radio Liberty, was arrested and briefly
detained in the capital of Baku. On that day, a number of
protesters had gathered in front of the offices of the United
Nations (UN) and the Iranian Embassy calling for an end to human
rights violations in Azerbaijan. Police stationed in front of the
UN offices and the Embassy then proceeded to apprehend several
people, including Husseinbeili. The journalist was then taken to
police headquarters, where he was detained for four hours. The
police later offered an explanation for Husseinbeili's arrest by
saying that he did not have the right to be among people involved
in an "illegal political demonstration."

Recommended Action

Send appeals to authorities:

protesting against the arrest and detention of Eltchine
Husseinbeili

reminding them that it is essential that journalists be allowed
to cover current events in Azerbaijan

asking them to ensure that no further occurrences of this nature
happen in the future

Appeals To

His Excellency Haidar Aliyev
President of Azerbaijan
Baku, Azerbaijan
Fax: +8922 92 17 63 

Please copy appeals to the originator if possible.