27 May 2008, 21:26
Azerbaijani authorities appoint bodyguards to opposition journalist
Henceforth, Agil Halil (Halilov), correspondent of the "Azadlyg" oppositional newspaper, who received in March a knife wound in the area of his heart and who suffered from other attacks in February and May, will be permanently accompanied by two employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan.
The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was informed about it by Azer Ahmedov, Director of "Azadlyg". He could not name the person who had made the decision on appointing bodyguards. Most likely, it was done under the insistence of international organizations and diplomatic missions.
"Two police officers are accompanying Agil anywhere he goes, when he goes out of his home and returns from his work. Besides, they are ready to go with him to all places, where he would wish," Mr Ahmedov has noted.
He has also explained that the newspaper's editorial board had accepted this proposal from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and would never accept such from the Ministry of National Security (MNS) and the Prosecutor's Office. MNS workers were beating Agil Halil, while the Prosecutor's Office tried to acquit them. At the same time, the police was too hesitant in investigating the attack on the reporter on February 22.
Author: Rafael Gasanov, CK correspondent
