Azerbaijan, Nov. 5 / Trend , A.Huseynbala/
Azerbaijan does not want an academic arrested in Iran to be deprived of his rights, Deputy Foreign Minister Vagif Sadikhov told Trend today.
"Iranian investigation agencies are working over Rashad Aliyev's case. We do not want the academic to be deprived of the means to protect himself," the deputy minister said.
Aliyev, who is head engineer and physicist at the Biological Laboratory of the Institute for Physical Problems at Baku State University, worked with the Iranian Sazan Elektronics Industry company from 2006-2008.
The company's head repeatedly asked the scientist to move to Iran during their activities. However, Aliyev refused the proposal and returned to Azerbaijan. After numerous requests by company director Abbas Eftekhari, Aliyev returned to Iran for a short period on Oct.5. He was arrested the following day for alleged visa problems.
According to the ministry official, the rights of arrested or convicted persons are protected in accordance with agreements reached between the two countries' embassies and international conventions.
Sadikhov said the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry regularly contacts Iran on this issue.
"At present this case is under investigation and we are waiting for the results," he added.
"Aliyev's arrest has no relation to the contract signed between our firm and Baku State University," Eftekhari told Trend earlier.
The Azerbaijani Justice Ministry sent an inquiry to the Iranian government after the arrest of an Azerbaijani laser specialist in Iran
Aliyev is being held at the Evin Jail's Fifth Building.
Aliyev suspended his scientific activity in the private sector when he voluntarily went to serve in the army at age 38. He installed special purpose communications systems until 1999 and later organized and conducted laser technology tests for the military.
Aliyev was also involved in overhauling the border patrol.
The Iranian Embassy in Azerbaijan has not yet reported on this issue.
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