22:19, 6 December 2006

Azerbaijani writers ask to release the journalist who has offended the Prophet

In Azerbaijan, a group of writers are asking to release journalist Rafik Tagi who has published his anti-Islamic article in the "Senet" (Arts) newspaper from custody.

In the opinion of writer Rasim Garadzhi, "R. Tagi's arrest is illegal, since under the Constitution everyone shall have the right to freely express one's ideas, and we ask the country's leadership and the state bodies to release our colleague," the "Interfax" writes. Writer Aidyn Khan Abilov also considers that "statement of a writer's personal position in a newspaper cannot be considered to be anyone's insult."

In his turn, Mr. Mardakiany Gamid Asadullaev, a Moslem believer from Baku suburb, has asserted that he would personally kill R. Tagi if he is released before term, the NEWSru.com writes.

Earlier, religious figures of Iran made a decision to execute Samir Sadatoglu, editor-in-chief of the "Sanat" newspaper, and another journalist of the paper who wrote an article speaking about Prophet Muhammad and Islam.