Azerbaijan arrests Iranian journalist
Feb 20, 2012, 3:34 PM
BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) – An Iranian journalist has been arrested and jailed in Azerbaijan as tensions rise between the two neighbors.
Police in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, said Monday that television journalist Anar Bayramli was found in possession of nearly 4 grams of heroin and resisted arrest.
Bayramli’s brother said the Iranian journalist had been taken from his home Friday and had offered no resistance.
The Institute of Media Rights, a nongovernmental organization, has asked for an official explanation of Bayramli’s arrest.
The rising tensions relate to Israel. Iran has protested what it claims is Israeli intelligence activity in Azerbaijan, while Azerbaijan has accused Iran of plotting to strike at Jewish and Israeli targets in Baku.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)