Azerbaijani opposition journalist detained in Kiev

The journalist Fikret Guseinli, who lives in political emigration in the Netherlands, has been detained today at the "Borispol" Kiev Airport, when he tried to fly to Dusseldorf.

At the border control, he was told that he was wanted by the Interpol, Yalchin Gakhraman, another Azerbaijani activist, who lives in Ukraine, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

According to his story, a criminal case against Guseinli had been opened under Articles 178 (fraud) and 318 (illegal crossing of border) of the Criminal Code.

"It is noteworthy that a few days ago Guseinli arrived safely in Kiev, and no claims were put forward to him," Mr Gakhraman said.

On October 16, the Borispol Court of Ukraine will consider Guseinli’s case; and until then, he will stay in custody, said Yalchin Gakhraman, adding that Guseinli is allowed to talk on the phone with restrictions.

The Azerbaijani service of Radio Liberty (Azadlyg) managed to get through to Guseinli.

"It's impossible to extradite me to Azerbaijan in a legal way; but I have a feeling that they want to kidnap me and illegally transport to Azerbaijan, just like Afghan Mukhtarly," the Radio Azadlyg quotes Mr Guseinli as saying.

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