The European Union and several human rights groups have called on authorities in Azerbaijan to conduct a full and transparent investigation into the death of journalist Rasim Aliyev.
Aliyev, 30, died in a Baku hospital on August 9 after being beaten the previous day by what he said was a group of supporters of the Qabala FK soccer player Cavid Huseynov.
Aliyev said his attackers were retaliating for criticism he’d made of Huseynov on his Facebook page.
Police have detained several suspects, including Huseynov’s cousin Elsan Ismayilov.
Twelve human rights organizations, including the Sport for Rights movement, Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, Index on Censorship, International Media Support and PEN American Center also supported the appeal for a transparent investigation.
Sport for Rights called Aliyev's death a "murder" that shows "critical voices are at greater risk now than ever before" in Azerbaijan.