Azerbaijan, Baku, 21 October / corr Trend K.Zarbaliyeva / Azerbaijani minister of justice ordered to
investigate beating of arrested employee of Azadlig newspaper Mirza Sakit in prison, where he serves his sentence.
Fikret Mammadov, Minister of Justice, received a group of human rights activists, Malik Alekperov, chief of Inspection on execution of sentences of the Ministry of Justice, told Trend .
Reports about Mirza Sakit were discussed during the meeting.
Mirza Sakit's wife Rena Zahidova said at a news conference on 20 October, that Sakit was beaten at prison 14.
The employees of prison wanted to shave Sakit's hair on 20 October. Sakit asked not to shave his hair, because it was his birthday on this day.
However, the employees of prison 14, where he serves his sentence, shaved his hair by force, having beaten him.
The incident will be investigated seriously and Penitentiary Service has already been given commission concerning the incident.
Reports about beating of Mirza Sakit are confirmed, serious measures will be taken in respect of leadership of prison, minister said.
Sakit was allowed to get transferred to another prison, Alekperov said.
Therefore, picket of human right activists, which was scheduled for 21 October before the building of the Ministry of Defense, is suspended.
Employee of Azadlig newspaper Mirza Sakit is imprisoned since June 2006. H is sentenced to three-year imprisonment for illicit storage of drugs.
Journalist states that his arrest is connected with professional activities.