European Union and USA call for releasing bloggers arrested in Azerbaijan

The chair of the European Union represented by the Sweden Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement condemning the arrest of young activists in Azerbaijan. "The European Union is deeply concerned with the arrest and imprisonment of young activists Adnan Gadzhizade and Emin Milli  in Azerbaijan", states the document submitted to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent at the EU office in Baku.

"We support the numerous appeals by the international community for justice and transparency in the case. We should like to note that the topic has been discussed in the course of the "Troika" meeting in Baku on July 20", runs the statement.

It should be noted that Kile Scott, head of the US mission in OSCE, also made a statement on July 23 at the sitting of the OSCE standing committee about violations of freedom of expression and fundamental human rights in Azerbaijan.

In particular, the text of his statement submitted to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent runs: "The freedom of expression is fundamental and is part of the democratic process in a country which is free".

The USA is concerned with the recent arrest in Azerbaijan of youth leaders Emin Milli and Adnan Gadzhizade. "We are concerned about the information that they were arrested for the period of investigation while the persons who had beaten them were released. We are particularly concerned about the reports that the police failed to provide them access to the lawyers and give them medical aid. We have expressed our concern to the high-ranking officials of Azerbaijan, including the leadership of the law enforcement agencies, and will continue doing it", runs the statement.

The document contains a pressing call to the Azeri government to release Milli and Gadzhizade until trial and ensure them access to doctors and legal assistance.