Committee for Defence of Mamedov: rights of non-Turkis are prejudiced in Azerbaijan

Khilal Mamedov, head of the Committee for Defence of the Rights of Novruzali Mamedov, arrested editor-in-chief of the newspaper "Tolyshi Sado," has accused the Azerbaijani authorities of discriminating the national minorities living in the country, in particular, the Talyshes. This is the topic of Kh. Mamedov's appeal to foreign embassies, the Day.Az reports with reference to "Mediaforum."

"The Pan-Turkism principle 'one nation - two states' means discrediting the indigenous population of Azerbaijan, including the Talyshes. This idea has caused fear and chaos among the Talysh local population. Its aim is to start the artificial assimilation processes, reduce the ties between the Talyshes who are living in Azerbaijan and Iran," Khilal Mamedov's statement runs.

We remind you that Novruzali Mamedov, editor-in-chief of the "Tolyshi Sado," was detained on February 3, 2007, on the charge of rendering resistance to the police. Then, on February 8 the Investigatory Department of the Ministry for National Security of Azerbaijan presented charges against him under Article 274 (betrayal of Motherland). In the opinion of well-informed circles, Mr Mamedov is accused of cooperating with the Iranian intelligence.