<< PREVIOUS
Azerbaijan: Writer Rafiq Tagi receives multiple stab wounds in violent attack
PEN International’s Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) | RAN 59/11 22 November 2011
Writer and journalist Rafiq Tagi received multiple stab wounds in a violent attack carried out by two unidentified assailants as he was returning home from work in the Azeri capital Baku on 19 November 2011. Although the motive for the attack remains unclear reports suggest that it may have been related to an article he recently published. An investigation has been launched. The Writers in Prison Committee of PEN International condemns the violent attack on Rafiq Tagi and calls for a full and impartial investigation examining in full the possibility that it was related to his writings.
Rafiq Tagi was attacked as he was returning home from work on 19 November 2011. He received six stab wounds and needed emergency surgery to remove his spleen. He was also reported to have suffered broken ribs, a fractured soldier blade and injuries to his stomach and diaphragm. The attack was reported to have been carried out by two unidentified male assailants, aged approximately 30-35 years, who had their faces concealed and did not saying anything during the assault. It was also reported that Taji escaped even more serious injuries by shielding his chest with a book he was carrying. He underwent fours hours of emergency surgery and is now reported to be in a stable condition in hospital in Baku.
Although the motive for the attack remains unknown, it is alleged that is may have been related to an article Tagi published on 10 November entitled ‘Iran and the Inevitability of Globalisation’ in which he criticized the Iranian regime and described threats made against Azerbaijan by Iran as “ridiculous”. A criminal investigation into the attack has been launched by Khatai District Prosecutor’s Office.
Background
Tagi, a former PEN main case and honorary member of several PEN Centres, was previously arrested in November 2006 for an article entitled ‘Europe and Us’, published in Sanat newspaper, for which he was accused of insulting the Prophet Mohammad. Following the publication of the article Grand Ayatollah Fazil Lankarani of Iran issued a fatwa calling for Tagi’s death. He was sentenced to three years in prison for the article under Article 283 of the Azeri Criminal Code for “inciting national, racial and religious enmity”.
Following significant international pressure, Tagi was granted amnesty on 28 December 2007.
Useful links:
- For a commentary on the attack by Azeri journalist Emin Milli, who was previously jailed for criticizing the government, please see http://www.indexoncensorship.org/2011/11/azerbaijan-dangerous-words/
- For a report from the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety see http://www.ifex.org/azerbaijan/2011/11/21/tagi_stabbed/
- For more information on Tagi’s previous detention see http://www.englishpen.org/writersinprison/writersinexile/rafiqtagi/
Please send appeals:
Condemning the violent attack on journalist Rafiq Tagi Expressing concerns that the attack may have resulted from his legitimate expression on his right to freedom of expression calling for a full, impartial investigation into the assault.
Send appeals to:
President Ilham Aliyev
Office of the President of the Azerbaijan Republic
19 Istiqlaliyyat Street
Baku AZ1066
Azerbaijan
Fax: + 994 12 492 0625
Minister of Internal Affairs
Lt.-Gen. Ramil Usubov
Ministry of Internal Affairs
Husu Hajiyev Street 7, 370005 Baku
Azerbaijan
Fax: + 994 12 492 45 90
For further details contact Sara Whyatt at the Writers in Prison Committee London Office: PEN International, Brownlow House, 50/51 High Holborn, London WC1V 6ER UK Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7405 0338 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting + 44 (0) 20 7405 0338 end_of_the_skype_highlighting Fax: + 44 (0) 20 7405 0339 e-mail: sara.whyatt@pen-international.org
Paul Finegan | Research and Campaign Support, Writers in Prison Committee | PEN International t. +44 (0)20 7405 0338 | m. +44 (0)7824640527 | e.Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/pen_int |Facebook http://www.facebook.com/peninternational | http://www.pen-international .org
Celebrating 90 years of promoting literature and defending freedom of expression
International PEN is trading as PEN International. International PEN is a company registered inEnglandandWaleswith registration number 05683997. International PEN is a registered charity in Englandand Wales with registration number 1117088. International PEN’s registered office is Brownlow House, 50-51 High Holborn, London, WC1V 6ER,UK.
