Spokesman of MIA: Mahammad Kekalov has been brought to justice

Detailed information about the social activist is not provided

The employee of “AbzasMedia” Mahammad Kekalov, who was taken from his home by the police on November 20 and was not informed about for two days, was held responsible.

Elshad Hajiyev, head of the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), said this.
Elshad Hajiyev said that he is currently in the police station of Mahammad Kekalov, and said that he is being held responsible for the relevant criminal case.

The spokesman of the Ministry of Internal Affairs did not give a detailed answer about which police station Kekalov is in and what criminal case he is being prosecuted for.

Social activist Mahammad Kekalov was taken away from his home by plainclothes police officers on November 20. His lawyer and family could not get information from him for two days. It is believed that he was tortured.

On November 20, the director of “AbzasMedia” Ulvi Hasanli was detained. 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code against him. (smuggling by a group of persons who colluded in advance) was charged.

A day later, on November 21, the editor-in-chief of “AbzasMedia” Sevinj Vagifqizi was detained at the airport while returning to Azerbaijan. The same accusation was made against him.
The house of both was searched, as well as the office of “AbzasMedia”. It was claimed that 40,000 euros were found in the office of the media institution.

Sevinj Vagifqizi said in his statement that it is impossible to have 40,000 euros in the office, if they find it there, they can only find a pot of delicious food.

Ulvi Hasanli and Sevinj Vagifgizi were arrested for 4 months by the decision of the Khatai District Court on November 21. They are guilty of bringing money into the country illegally.
If they are found guilty, they face up to eight years in prison under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan.

Both of them deny this charge, stating that their arrests were related to their professional activities.
International organizations also appealed to the Azerbaijani authorities and asked them to stop the pressure against the free media. They called what happened as “revenge” against the media.