The criminal case launched by the office of Public Prosecutor of the Baku Yasamal district to investigate the violent hampering the cameraman Tahir Garayev and other employees of the Public Tele-radio Broadcasting Company in doing their professional duties, and their illegal deprivation of liberty.

The had found out that on August 5, 2005, employees of the Public Tele-radio Broadcasting Company Tahir Garayev, Kamil Mammadov, Nadir Shafiyev and Rauf Rajabov arrived at the macaroni products factory “Dadlilar” located on the 1st Alatava Street in Yasamal district of Baku, and began shooting. At this point, Natig Suleymanov, a driver for the Group of Companies ANS (Azerbaijan News Service), Israfil Mammadov, actually performing duties of a member of the company’s security staff and one unknown person drove Nissan Pathfinder AZ-10-AL690 to the Public Television’s team, and began to prevent them from shooting. They pull out the tape from the camera, watched and took it away. Then, they violently pushed Tahir Guliyev into the car and delivered him to the ANS’ courtyard.

Natig Suleymanov and the unknown person, instructed by Israfil Mammadov, took Tahir Garayev’s cell phone away, and held him in the courtyard for about 1 hour and half, in fact, illegally deprived him from liberty.

Israfil Mammadov and Natig Suleymanov, whose guilt was proved in a Yasamal district court trial have been sentenced to 4 years and 3 years and 2 months of imprisonment respectively.

The investigation to find and prosecute the third accomplice continues.