Azerbaijani journalist Guseinli arrested in Ukraine

The Borispol Court has arrested the Azerbaijani journalist Fikret Guseinli, who lives in the Netherlands, for 18 days. His defence intends to appeal against this decision.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Fikret Guseinli, who had received political asylum and citizenship in the Netherlands, was detained on October 14 at the Kiev "Borispol" Airport before his flight to Dusseldorf. He was told that he had been declared wanted by Azerbaijan within the Interpol system. A criminal case was opened against Guseinli under the articles of "fraud" and "illegal border crossing".

According to Azerbaijani activist Yalchin Gakhraman, a well-known lawyer of the Ukrainian Helsinki Union for Human Rights Dmitry Mazurok was involved to defend Guseinli's rights.

"Very serious international human rights organizations are advocating for Fikret," Mr Gakhraman said, adding that Guseinli had been persecuted in Azerbaijan for his professional journalistic activities, and he had to flee to the Netherlands.

The UNN (Ukrainian National News Agency) notes, referring to Guseinli’s colleagues, that he cooperates with the Azerbaijani oppositional "Turan" TV Channel.

The detention of Guseinli was condemned by the Azerbaijani Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety (IRFS).

The international human rights organization Freedom House has also called on Kiev authorities to release Fikret Guseinli.

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