It is reported that an investigation is being conducted regarding the women whose images and correspondence have been spread
In recent days, personal messages of imprisoned social activist Bakhtiyar Hajiyev has been circulating on social networks. With the dissemination of those, besides Hajiyev himself, a number of other people’s privacy are being violated, including a number of women.
During discussions on this topic in social networks, criticism is directed at the state bodies that should protect citizens’ safety and privacy. Moreover, suspicions mostly rest on the internal affairs bodies, which Bakhtiyar Hajiyev criticized the most before his arrest, and which are currently investigating him.
Elshad Hajiyev, head of the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, told Meydan TV that Bakhtiyar Hajiyev was invited to the Baku City Police Department along with his lawyer on the day of his arrest. At that time, he did not have any electronic device – mobile phone, tablet, computer – and his house and office were not searched:
“These issues were not the subject of the investigation. He was taken to the court together with his lawyer, and after the court decision, he was transferred to the Baku Pretrial Detention Center. We categorically deny the allegations regarding the viewing or transfer of his personal belongings.”
Elshad Hajiyev added that a complaint was received from several women and their family members in order to investigate the issue of the distribution of images and messages from Bakhtiyar Hajiyev’s personal accounts:
“Relevant investigations are being conducted on those appeals.”
However, Bakhtiyar Hajiyev’s relatives said that the social activist went to the Baku City Police Department in his own car and left his notebook and phone in the car. Three days after his arrest, the police presented the car key to one of his lawyers. His relatives believe that during that period his personal belongings were interfered with by the police.
Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, who has been in prison since December 9, is charged with articles 221.2.2 of the Criminal Code (hooliganism by resisting a person performing the duty of protecting public order) and 289.1 (contempt of court). These articles provide up to 3 years of imprisonment .
