Azerbaijani scientist arrested in Iran stands trial

He said that Aliyev told his family over the phone that he stood the preparatory trial some days ago.

It was a preliminary hearing and Aliyev demanded a translator to give testimony in the following hearings.

The date of the next hearing has not been fixed.

Malikov said the Foreign Ministry and Azerbaijani embassy in Iran had already been informed about it.

“The embassy will help Aliyev to find a translator,” he said.

Malikov said they had also appealed to the Azerbaijani parliament concerning Aliyev’s case.

They are going to appeal to the Islamic Republic of Iran to release the Azerbaijani scientist. Signatures are being collected for this purpose,” he said.

Rashid Aliyev, the leading engineer of the lab of Physical Problems Institute of Baku State University, worked in Sazan Electronics Industry Company in 2006-2008 at the invitation of the company.

Aliyev last returned to Iran on Oct. 5 after insistent invitation by the company’s director Abbas Eftekhari.

On Oct. 6, 2009, he was arrested because of alleged visa problems.

Iranian officials have not yet explained the reason for Aliyev's arrest.

/APA/