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BAKU. July 9, 2009: Public Committee established for Protection of the Rights of Youth Activists Adnan Hajizade and Emin Milli held a session in media center on Thursday. Human rights defenders, leaders of political parties , representatives of embassies and international organizations participated in its work. All of the participants demanded immediate release of Hajizadeh and Milli from jail, providing of medical assistance to them and punishment of the perpetrators of the attack on the youth activists.

Witnesses of the incident on Wednesday in the “Lebanese” cafe, where Adnan Hajizadeh and Emin Milli had been attacked and battered by unknown people, told that it was provocation, describing how Hajizadeh and Milli were beaten. Surprisingly, after the involvement of the police, the attackers were released, and those who suffered the attack were taken into custody.

Human rights defender Elchin Behbudov told that he had visited the detained in the pre-trial prison. “ Both had traumas and they have not been examined medically, ” Behbudov said. A lawsuit was filed, but it is not clear how it will be investigated, Behbudov said. Director of the Institute of Peace and Democracy Leyla Yunus said the arrest of the youth activists was against the norms of the country and the international norms.

The lawyer Rashid Hajili reminded the case with Editor-in-Chief of Azadlig Newspaper Ganimat Zahidov, who was also was detained, after somebody actually attacked and beat him. Upon his arrest Ganimat Zahid was accused of hooliganism.

Human rights defender Avaz Hasanov connected the event with their political activity.

Leader of Musavat party Isa Gambar treated the event as a pressure on freedom in general. “While we resist in groups we will loose. It is necessary to unite in order to stand up against this policy of the authorities, ” he said.

Adnan’s father Hikmet Hajizadeh, a prominent political figure in Musavat party, former ambassador of Azerbaijan to Russia under president Elchibey, connected the incident with active participation of youth in political life: “I appeal to authorities, and I want to state: we will not stop! ” he said.

The ambassador of Germany to Baku Pier Stankin expressed concern with the fact of detention of Emin Milli, who was to work as interpreter near the ombudsman of Germany, who arrived today in Baku. He expressed hope that youth activists will be released as soon as possible.

Representative of the U.S. Embassy Dmitry Dorokhovsky expressed “concern” of the embassy that the detainees had not been provided with medical assistance. He noted that in Azerbaijan journalists, public figures and representatives of civil society are subjected to attacks. “The event does not meet any democratic norms and elementary common human principles, ” the US diplomat said.

Others proposed to hold actions of protest. After the discussion, the participants of the session adopted an appeal to president Ilham Aliyev and Interior Minister Ramil Usubov, demanding the immediate release of the youth activists and punishment of the perpetrators of the attack (Turan).

Related articles: Youth Activists Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizadeh First Attacked, Then Arrested!