Azerbaijani journalist detained on hooliganism charges

Police in Azerbaijan's Abseron district have detained a well-known opposition journalist named Seymur Hazi.

Hazi's lawyer, Elton Guliyev, says his client was detained on August 29 on suspicion of hooliganism.

The district's police department refused to provide details about Hazi's detention.

Hazi is a correspondent for the opposition "Azadliq" - or "Liberty" newspaper.

He also works as analyst for "The Azerbaijani Hour" on-line television channel.

He is known for his texts and analysis that are often critical of Azerbaijani authorities.

Hazi's detention comes two days after the U.S. State Department urged Azerbaijan's government to "take immediate steps" to protect the freedoms of expression, assembly, and association.

The call was made in regard to an attack on August 21 against a journalist and rights activist in Azerbaijan's Naxcivan exclave, Ilqar Nasibov.