Relative of editor-in-chief of Azerbaijani "Azadlyg" accused of keeping drugs

Azerbaijan has arrested, on charges of illegal drug dealing, Rufat Zakhidov, a nephew of Ganimat Zakhid (Zakhidov), the editor-in-chief of the oppositional newspaper "Azadlyg" (Freedom), who is now in political emigration. This is the third relative of Ganimat Zakhidov arrested within the past three days.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Rovshan Zakhidov and Tural Zakhidov, relatives of Ganimat Zakhid were sentenced to administrative arrests for 25 and 30 days.

Rufat Zakhidov was detained by policemen on July 20, his father Farasat Zakhidov told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

According to the father, Rufat Zakhidov was first taken to the Chief Department for Drug Control of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), and then – to the Sabail ROVD (District Interior Division).

"Only on July 21, we received official information about Rufat's detention. Allegedly, they found five grams of heroin in his pocket and in his car. This is an absolute fiction. In reality, my son was arrested for the journalistic activities of my nephew Ganimat. The arrests of my other nephew Tural and my cousin Rovshan are also the confirmation," said Farasat Zakhidov.

The Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), where Ganimat Zakhidov is a member, issued a statement condemning the arrests of relatives of the editor-in-chief of the newspaper.

"The arrested persons were not engaged in any political activities. The only reason for the terror they have faced was in the journalistic activities of Ganimat Zakhidov, and, in particular, his participation in the programme "Azerbaijani Hour". "The PFPA treats the arrest of innocent people as the treatment of citizens as hostages and regards it as lawlessness and crime," says the statement of the party released on July 21.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.