User of social networks arrested in Azerbaijan

On March 4, the Nizami District Court of the city of Gyandzha passed a ruling on a 1-month arrest of Bakhtiyar Gadjiev, an active Facebook user. The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent learnt about it from his brother Vugar Gadjiev.

The information about Bakhtiyar's arrest was confirmed by his advocate Seadat Seidli. According to her story, at the trial her client was exposed to physical pressure. From the courtroom, the activist was taken to Detention Unit No. 2 of Gyandzha.

Gadjiev is accused of escape from military service; however, he rejects the charges and says that he is persecuted because of his active civil position and activities on the Internet.

According to Bakhtiyar Gadjiev's friends, he backed a group formed on the Facebook, which had announced March 11 in Azerbaijan "the Great People's Day" and urged young people to march along the streets of Baku. However, Gadjiev said that he is not a member of this group.

At the parliamentary elections on November 7, 2010, Gadjiev ran for the MP position at one of the Baku constituencies. After the elections, he presented video materials to the press on violations of the law during the voting and vote count.

So far, the law enforcement authorities gave no comments on Gadjiev's detention.