Azerbaijan, Baku, Jan. 14 / Trend K.Zarbaliyeva /
Iran has launched trial process on Azerbaijani scientist Rashid Aliyev arrested in Iran.
Aliyev had a telephone conversation with his family and he informed that Iran holds preparatory meeting on his case, Committee for the Protection of Scientist Rights Chairman Soltanhamid Malikov told Trend today.
He said that at the next meeting he will give testimony with help of interpreter, Malikov added.
The exact date of the trial process has not been yet defined.
Malikov said that he appealed to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry with request to contribute to participation of Azerbaijani governmental representative in the trial process.
Aliyev, who is head engineer and physicist at the Biological Laboratory of the Institute for Physical Problems at Baku State University, worked for 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's Director Abbas Eftekhari, Aliyev returned to Iran for a short period Oct. 5. He was arrested on the following day for alleged visa problems.
"Aliyev's arrest has no relation to the contract signed between our firm and Baku State University," Eftekhari told Trend earlier. Meanwhile, Eftekhari believes that Aliyev was arrested for security issues."
The Azerbaijani Justice Ministry sent an inquiry to the Iranian government after his arrest.
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.
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