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Azerbaijani scientist Rashid Aliyev: â€œI will demand indemnity from Iran for two years of illegal imprisonment thereâ€ - INTERVIEW

Azerbaijani scientist Rashid Aliyev: â€œI will demand indemnity from Iran for two years of illegal imprisonment thereâ€ - <font color=red>INTERVIEW</font>

12 August 2010 14:19 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Hafiz Heydarov â€“ APA. Azerbaijani scientist Rashid Aliyev, who was released from Iranian prison yesterday, gives an interview to APA

- How do you feel in Azerbaijan?

- I am feeling very well in Azerbaijan. I feel in paradise. I thank to the government of Azerbaijan, journalists, public community for their attention to me. I was feeling breath of Azerbaijan during my imprisonment in Iran because I love my motherland.

- What Iranian prison were you detained in?

- It was a detention of Iranian national security service. I was detained among the political prisoners. We were aware of everything what happened around the world. I could get information about Azerbaijan as well.

- Did you face with any torture or pressure during the imprisonment?

- I faced only with psychological pressure during the imprisonment. I am a participant of the Karabakh war. I didnâ€™t suffer so psychologically even in that difficult time. I suffered from a great psychological concussion because I was alone there.

- What did the Iranian authorities accuse you?

- Iranian authorities accused me in spying for Azerbaijan, but they have no evidence. Therefore I was released. Otherwise they wouldnâ€™t release me early.

- How is your release grounded?

- First of all I was innocent. Secondly, the Azerbaijani government and public did all its best to prove my innocence. The Azerbaijani mass media played a special role. The Azerbaijani and Iranian governments gave results. I was released from prison basing on the mutual agreement.

- Were you under control after you were released?

- Yes, I was. I was handed over to the Azerbaijani embassy in Iran. The representatives of the embassy brought me to the motherland and handed over to the Justice Ministry.

- Why were you taken to the Justice Ministry?

- I gave an explanation at the ministry.

- Is the court decision on your two-year arrest considered invalid?

- Iranian court passed a decision on three-year arrest. But that decision had no legal ground, first of all, because the hearing was held in my absence. Secondly, the investigative bodies had nothing that might prove my guilt. Therefore, I consider myself acquitted. Despite this, I will appeal to the related bodies for the cancellation of the Iranian courtâ€™s decision.

- You underwent material and moral damage in Iran. What steps are you going to take to get compensation?

- I was arrested in Iran innocently and held in the jail for two years. I underwent great material and moral damage. I will demand compensation for the material and moral damage. I want the rights of the people in Iran to be respected. Can we talk about justice if a defendant has no right to have a lawyer?