Azeri Opposition Activist Arrested, Charged With Hooliganism

LANKARAN, Azerbaijan -- Authorities in Azerbaijan's southern district of Lankaran have arrested an adviser to the leader of opposition Musavat (Equality) party.

The leader of Musavat's branch in the town of Massali, Xasay Safaroglu, told RFE/RL on June 28 that police went to Yadigar Sadiqov's home one day earlier and took him to police station.

Sadiqov was charged with attacking and beating a man in Massali.

Sadiqov remains in custody.

Interior Ministry spokesman Orxan Mansurzade told RFE/RL that Sadiqov's arrest has nothing to do with his political activities and requested that RFE/RL not "politicize the case," which he described as "mere hooliganism."

Musavat, Azerbaijan's oldest political party, has been in opposition to the ruling New Azerbaijan Party since 1993.