Nakhchivan resident sets himself on fire in protest against police

On February 11 a resident of Nakhchivan, Huseyn Mammadov, committed self-immolation in front of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (NAR) in protest against the tyranny of the traffic police. Mammadov was hospitalized, his health is moderately severe. 

According to local sources, Mammadov made such a desperate step after the Interior Ministry ignored his complaints of constant harassment by traffic police.

Mamedov earns  for living as cab driver, but police often detained him  extorting  bribes and demanding to buy a Nakhchivan  car "Lifan", as well as special numbers for taxis.

Mammadov repeatedly complained to the Interior Ministry, but in vain. On February 11 after another complaint he was  insulted . When he said that he would burn himself in protest, Interior Ministry spokesman said: "Go  and burn yourself." Coming out of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Mammadov poured  gasoline on himself and burned.

However, the authorities of Nakhchivan reject these allegations, as well as the fact of self-immolation.

Since December 25, 2013, there have been six cases of self-immolation. In two cases  - the  Karabakh war veteran Zaur Hasanov and 21-year-old resident of Lankaran, Maleyka Bayramly, died from injuries. 

ANN.Az