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Azerbaijan Allows Jailed Blogger To Attend Father's Funeral


Emin Milli's parents, Pasha Abdullayev and Natella Abduallyeva, in Baku in February
Emin Milli's parents, Pasha Abdullayev and Natella Abduallyeva, in Baku in February
Azerbaijani officials have said they will allow a jailed blogger out of prison to attend his father's funeral, RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service reports.

The Justice Ministry's penitentiary service told RFE/RL that Emin Milli would be released from prison for three days to attend the funeral of his father, Pasha Abdullayev, who died on June 28.

Milli and Adnan Hajizada were detained after a scuffle at a Baku restaurant in July 2009. They were found guilty in November of hooliganism and inflicting minor bodily harm and sentenced to 2 1/2 and two years in prison, respectively.

Human rights groups say the charges against the two are politically motivated in retaliation for their satirical comments about government policy.

A Baku appeals court upheld their conviction in March despite numerous international calls for clemency.

Abdullayev, 75, had been ill for some time. The funeral will take place in Neftchala, in southeastern Azerbaijan.
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