Azerbaijani activists report arrest of editor-in-chief of oppositional website

Agil Makhmudov, the editor-in-chief of the "hefteaz.info" news website, has been administratively arrested for 20 days. Activists believe that the journalist is persecuted for his publications.

Agil was arrested on October 8 in the Goychay District (220 km west of Baku), the activist Talekh Khasmamedov told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent. According to his story, Makhmudov was found guilty under Article 535.1 (non-obeying to policeman's lawful demands) of the Code of Administrative Offenses.

"We believe that Agil Makhmudov was arrested because of his journalistic work. In his website, he raised problems that worry the local population," said Khasmamedov.

Ogtai Gyulyalyev, the coordinator of the Centre for the Defence of Political Prisoners, also believes that Makhmudov is persecuted for his professional activities.

"The website 'hefteaz.info' often criticized both the authorities of Azerbaijan and the Goychay District," Mr Gyulyalyev told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on October 9, 2018 at 04:26 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.