Azeri editor says local Jewish leader threatens him over Hitler’s book
Sources:
ANS TV, Baku
22 Dec 04
Assa-Irada, Baku
22 Dec 04
[Presenter] The editor-in-chief of Xural newspaper, Avaz Zeynalli, who
was repeatedly summoned to law enforcement agencies after publishing
in Azerbaijani Adolf Hitler’s “Mein Kampf” – My Struggle – has
accused the head of the community of mountain Jews, Semen Ikhiilov,
of making threats.
[Correspondent over video of news conference by Zeynalli] Pressure on
me is increasing gradually after I published Adolf Hitler’s “Mein
Kampf”, the editor-in-chief of Xural, Avaz Zeynalli, told a news
conference today.
The editor’s lawyer, Elcin Qambarov, spoke about the current state of
the legal proceedings instituted into the case. He said that despite
the fact the legal action had been taken against the editor under
Article No 282 of the Criminal Code, that is inciting religious and
racial hatred, no official charges have yet been brought against
the editor.
The lawyer said that “Mein Kampf” is being examined by experts of
the investigation department of the [Azerbaijani] National Security
Ministry.
Talking about the translation of the book, Zeynalli said that he
knows the identity of the person who threatened him by telephone on
8 December this year.
[Zeynalli, addressing the news conference] The person who called
me was Semen Ikhiilov. He was born in Kustanay [Kazakhstan]. He is
friendly with the families of some esteemed people in Azerbaijan. He
has many businesses [in Azerbaijan].
[Correspondent] You might recall that the person mentioned by Zeynalli
is now leading the community of mountain Jews. As to the threats to
the editor, Ikhiilov’s answer was very brief.
This is completely groundless and I have never phoned him, end
of quote.
Baxtiyar Salimov, Sehrac Azadoglu, ANS.
[The Azerbaijani news agency Assa-Irada quoted Zeynalli as telling the
journalists that “Mein Kampf” will “always be popular and useful”. “To
read Hitler does not mean to be a fascist,” he said, adding that those
“who think so are ignorant”.]
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress