Journalist Mustafaev claims being pressured by investigators after his speech in support of Khadija Ismayilova

The General Prosecutor's Office of Azerbaijani has issued a warning to journalist Tural Mustafaev, who withdrew his complaint against journalist Khadija Ismayilova. Tural Mustafaev claimed being subjected to pressure by investigators and announced his intention to seek asylum in the EU and the United States.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on May 1, Tural Mustafaev, whose complaint gave the law enforcement bodies of Azerbaijan the ground to institute criminal proceedings against journalist Khadija Ismayilova, disseminated a video message, in which he claimed how he was tortured by power agents and how he was forced to defame Khadija Ismayilova.

After his video message had been disseminated, Tural Mustafaev was summoned to the Investigating Department on Grave Crimes of the General Prosecutor's Office of Azerbaijan. According to him, he was warned that the disclosure of the secrets of the investigation is punishable under Article "Disclosure of information of inquiry or preliminary investigation."

The above article stipulates the penalty in the form of a fine in the amount of 500-1000 manats (525-1050 US dollars), or correctional labour of up to two years, or imprisonment of up to six months.

According to Tural Mustafaev, he intends "to officially apply to Western diplomatic missions with a request for asylum."

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.