Baku demonstrators protest detention, deportation of Azerbaijani journalist from Moscow

A group of journalists held a rally in front of the Russian Embassy in Baku yesterday, protesting the deportation of Azerbaijani blogger and journalist Fuad Abbasov.

He was detained in Moscow on charges of violating immigration laws and is going to be deported to Azerbaijan on May 28.

Moreover, his lawyer claims Abbasov was beaten during the arrest.

Who is Fuad Abbasov and why is he being deported?

Fuad Abbasov is an Azerbaijani blogger and journalist living in Russia. His byline recently appeared on a story associated connected to a brawl at a Moscow restaurant,restaurant, the Neolit.

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The brawl took place between Azerbaijanis and Chechens on February 15 in the restaurant.

Abbasov said the instigator of the fight was a Russian citizen of Armenian origin and published his passport data, the Caucasian Knot website reports.

The individual accused denies any involvement.

On May 16, Abbasov was detained and processed for deportation.

Abbasov says that his deportation must have been ‘ordered’, pointing the finger at either the ‘Armenian lobby’ or detractors from the leaders of the Azerbaijani diaspora in Russia.

The police say Abbasov is going to be deported because of problems with his residence permit. 1news claims that several Azerbaijani communities of Russia demanded Abbasov be deported.

If the lawyer and other advocates fail to secure his release by May 28, Fuad Abbasov will be deported to Azerbaijan.

The detained journalist was visited by the staff of the Azerbaijani embassy in Russia, but did not make any specific comments.