Azerbaijani gays complain of persecution

The Alliance “Nefes” uniting  gays, appealed to the Ministry of Internal Affairs  due to  discrimination which  faced  the  members of the public association.

Their appeal says that in the last 10 days there were cases of hatred and intolerance. In the first case, a 19- year-old young man could not endure discrimination from family and others, and committed suicide. The second case is when a 17-year-old young man was brutally raped by eight persons who filmed it on video, and then extort money from the victim. The young man could not get the required amount, and the video was sent to his family. The boy’s parents beat him, and nothing is  known about him since then.

In December 2013 the head of "Nefes" Javid (Attila) Nabiyev appealed to the Sumgayit police, and  asked  to provide his safety and punish people threatening him.  However, there was no reaction.

The Alliance believes that gays should not be  persecuted in a democratic society , that boast for their tolerance. The  Alliance requests assistance and investigate and prosecute those responsible , the statement says.

ANN.Az