US citizen not allowed to leave Azerbaijan

A U.S. citizen of Azerbaijani origin, Said Nuri, has been barred from leaving Azerbaijan.

Nuri told RFE/RL that officials at Baku international airport did not allow him to leave for Ukraine on September 4, citing an undisclosed ruling by the National Security Ministry and prosecutor-general's office.

According to Nuri, Azerbaijani officials said to him that he is also a citizen of Azerbaijan and therefore the U.S. Embassy has no right to interfere in the situation.

Nuri was the deputy chief of the pro-opposition Yeni Fikir (New Opinion) youth group.

He left Azerbaijan several years ago after an investigation into treason was launched against his organization.

Nuri said it's his fourth trip to Azerbaijan since he became a U.S. citizen in 2012.

For each trip he has obtained a visa as he used his U.S. passport to enter the country.