Front Line is deeply concerned following the arbitrary detention of human rights defender Emin Huseynov. Emin Huseynov is the Chairperson of the Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS) and works to defend freedom of expression in Azerbaijan.

Further Information

Posted 13/06/2008 On 12 June 2008, at approximately midday, Emin Huseynov was detained while observing and filming a protest outside Azerbaijan's Presidential Administration Building in Baku. He was approached by a number of men in civilian clothes who took him inside the Presidential Administration Building. There he was reportedly interrogated for two hours by men in military uniforms as to why he had been filming, who funds the IRFS and what work they carry out. His video camera and his identification documents were confiscated. Following his release at 2.30 pm his documents and camera were returned to him, however, all of his photographs were removed and no explanation has been given for his detention. He was reportedly warned not to come back to the site or he would be arrested.

Front Line believes that Emin Huseynov has been targeted as a result of his legitimate work in the defence of human rights, in particular his work to defend freedom of expression.