(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has voiced outrage over the violent incidents that marred the presidential election on 15 October 2003 and an opposition demonstration on 16 October. Many journalists were beaten by police, detained or insulted. The election was won by Ilham Aliev, son of outgoing President Heidar Aliev. “We are very alarmed by the surge […]
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has voiced outrage over the violent incidents that marred the presidential election on 15 October 2003 and an opposition demonstration on 16 October. Many journalists were beaten by police, detained or insulted. The election was won by Ilham Aliev, son of outgoing President Heidar Aliev.
“We are very alarmed by the surge of violence against journalists and remind you that the press’s ability to cover elections freely is one of the criteria considered by the international community before recognising an election’s legitimacy,” RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard said in a letter to Interior Minister Ramil Usubov.
According to information gathered by RSF, at least 25 local and foreign journalists were badly beaten by the security forces during the 16 October opposition demonstration in Baku. Several journalists had to be hospitalised.
The targeted journalists included Zafar Guliyev of the TURAN news agency, who was injured in the head; Emin Huseynov of TURAN, hospitalised with a concussion; Ilkin Guliyev of TURAN; Fuad Hasanguliyev of Interfax-Azerbaijan, hospitalised with head injuries; Sabina Iskenderli of Interfax-Azerbaijan; Agil Jamal of “Azadlig”; Hayal Babayev of “Azadlig”; Azer Hasret, general secretary of the journalists’ federation; Shirhan Agayev of “Prognoz”; Sarkarda Sarkhanoglu of “Hurriyet”; Nabi Alishov of “Hurriyet”, hospitalised with head injuries; Adil Huseynov of “Hurriyet”, hospitalised with head injuries; and Tahir Aliyaroglu of “Hurriyet”, hospitalised with head injuries.
Others included Tebriz Sadayoglu of “Hurriyet”; Nidjat Daglar of “Baki Habar”, hospitalised in serious condition; Kenul Veliyeva of “Baki Habar”; Metanet Muslimgizi of “Baki Habar”; Vasim Mamedov of “Baki Habar”, hospitalised with head injuries; Eynulla Umudov of “Galanjak Gun”; Etibar Savalan of “Galanjak Gun”; Elza Abishova of “Cumhurriyet”, hospitalised; Mansura Sattarova of “Cumhurriyet”; Lala Musa Gizi of “Cumhurriyet”; Afgan Gafarov of “Cumhurriyet” and Kenan Rovshanoglu of “Cumhurriyet”. Azer Garachenli, a correspondent with “Avropa”, was arrested by the police.
At least 15 journalists were prevented from covering the elections in normal fashion on 15 October, and six journalists were beaten. Elnur Sadikhov, a correspondent with “Azadlig” in Ganja, northern Azerbaijan, was beaten by police and barred from a polling station. “Yeni Musavat” correspondents Kenul Salimgizi, Safar Humbatov, Murshud Hasanov and Salim Azizoglu were manhandled at polling station No. 25 in Baku. Fahraddin Hajibeyli, of Radio Free Europe, was beaten by employees of the polling station in Agdam, 350 kilometres from Baku.
Two journalists were detained as they were covering the polling. Parviz Hashimov, a correspondent with “Uch Nogta”, was held for three hours in Ganja, and Mushfig Mamedli, a correspondent with “Baki Habar”, was detained by police in Baku.
Three journalists were denied access to polling stations. Police prevented Firudin Guliyev, a correspondent with “Garbin Sesi”, from entering the polling station in Shemakha, 120 kilometres from Baku. Vidadi Bayramov, a correspondent with “Hurriyet”, was insulted and refused entry to the polling station in Salyan, 140 kilometres from Baku, and Abbasali Rustamli, of “Azadlig”, was turned away from the Sabail polling station in Baku.
Seven journalists were also insulted by staff manning various polling stations. Aslan Abdullayev, a correspondent with “Molla Nasreddin”, was insulted by the president of the polling station in Ujar, 200 kilometres from Baku. Matanat Aliyeva, a correspondent with “Impuls”, was insulted at Nasimi polling station No. 22 in Baku. Eynulla Garayev, a correspondent with “Fedai”, was insulted at the Ujar polling station. Freelance journalist Medina Aliyev was insulted at polling station No. 38 in Baku. Tahir Pasha, director of the Association of Military Journalists, and “Yeni Musavat” correspondents Mubariz Jafarli and Mahir Mamedli were insulted at Sabail polling station No. 15 in Baku.
