Azerbaijan, Baku, 23 June / Trend corr K. Zarbaliyeva/ "Azerbaijani human rights activists, who are currently visiting Strasburg, highlighted at the meetings of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) perspective appointment of a special rapporteur on South Caucasus," Arzu Abdullayeva, chairman of the Committee on Protection of the Freedom of Speech, said in a telephone conversation from Strasburg on 23 June.
According to Abdullayeva, co-rapporteur on Azerbaijan Andres Herkel inquired about the condition of imprisoned journalists and detained head of the Institute on Freedom and Security of Journalists Emin Huseynli. Herkel said he would highlight the issue during his report on Azerbaijan to be delivered on 24 June.
On 14 June, Emin Huseynli and a youth group marking the 80th anniversary of Che Guevara in Alaturka cafe were detained and taken to the Nasimi District Police Office in Baku. Huseynli states he was beaten at the police office, while the Interior Ministry denies the statement.
Head of the Azerbaijani delegation to PACE Samad Seyidov said to Trend that there is no need to appoint a special rapporteur.
There are three journalists imprisoned in Azerbaijan.
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