An opposition journalist in Azerbaijan says he and another reporter were assaulted on the outskirts of Baku, RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service reports.
Elmin Badalov, who writes for the opposition daily "Yeni Musavat," told RFE/RL that he and Anar Gerayli from the newspaper "Milli Yol" were taking pictures of luxury villas when several men emerged from cars and began to beat and kick him.
He said Gerayli was pushed and knocked to the ground, but was unhurt.
Badalov was investigating a report that the villas belong to Transportation Minister Ziya Mammadov.
Badalov said the men took his camera and erased the photos.
He added that the two were held for more than three hours. He said the unidentified men told Badalov and Gerayli that they would be "watching them for the next six months."
Badalov received first aid for his injuries after returning to "Yeni Musavat's" office.
"Yeni Musavat" said it would lodge a complaint with the police about the July 28 incident.
An Interior Ministry official told RFE/RL it would investigate the claims by Badalov if a complaint was filed.
Elmin Badalov, who writes for the opposition daily "Yeni Musavat," told RFE/RL that he and Anar Gerayli from the newspaper "Milli Yol" were taking pictures of luxury villas when several men emerged from cars and began to beat and kick him.
He said Gerayli was pushed and knocked to the ground, but was unhurt.
Badalov was investigating a report that the villas belong to Transportation Minister Ziya Mammadov.
Badalov said the men took his camera and erased the photos.
He added that the two were held for more than three hours. He said the unidentified men told Badalov and Gerayli that they would be "watching them for the next six months."
Badalov received first aid for his injuries after returning to "Yeni Musavat's" office.
"Yeni Musavat" said it would lodge a complaint with the police about the July 28 incident.
An Interior Ministry official told RFE/RL it would investigate the claims by Badalov if a complaint was filed.
