Georgian journalists demand explanation from government on kidnapping of Azerbaijani opposition reporter from Tbilisi

Georgian journalists and NGOs are going to gather outside the country’s government building to demand an explanation from authorities regarding the kidnapping of Tbilisi based Azerbaijani journalist Afghan Mukhtarli, Georgia Online reported. The protestors urged everyone who is concerned to join them, saying “ Join us and express your protest regarding the disappearance of our Azerbaijani colleague who has been living in Georgia for the past two years. Join us and express your support to him by demanding explanations from the Georgian government.”

Afghan Mukhtarli is a known critic of the Azerbaijani authorities’ policies. Since 2015, he was forced to settle in Tbilisi. He disappeared two days ago, and later appeared in Baku and was jailed. He said that he was kidnapped from downtown Tbilisi by unknown people wearing civilian clothing, who were speaking Georgian.

He was forced into a car and taken out of Georgia, heavily battered, blindfolded and taken to another vehicle. He was then forced to a third vehicle, already on the Azerbaijani border, where he heard the kidnappers talk in Azerbaijani.

The kidnappers framed him by putting a large amount of cash in his pocket, and now he is charged with smuggling and illegal border crossing. His attorney has already met him, and said that his client has bruised on his face. Afghan told his attorney that he has severe pain in the chest area, presumably fractured ribs.