Iran sentences Azerbaijani scientist to three years in jail

An Iranian court has passed a decision on the Azerbaijani scientist Rashid Aliyev arrested in Iran, head of the committee to defend rights of Rashid Aliyev, director of the Laser Scientific-Research Center Soltanhamid Malikov said.

He said that Rashid Aliyev talked to him over the phone and said Iranian court passed a judgment on him. The court sentenced Rashid Aliyev to three years in jail.

Malikov said the step of the Iranian government was not clear.

“We can not understand why Rashid Aliyev has been sentenced,” he said.

Rashid Aliyev, the leading engineer of the lab of Physical Problems Institute of Baku State University, worked in Iran-based Sazan Electronics Industry Company in 2006-2008 at the invitation of the company and under the contract signed by consent of Baku State University. He worked in Semnan city of Iran and led the first installation and exploitation of automatic program controlled technological laser system, preparation of perfect experience for modern laser systems and test stand.

The company offered permanent job to Aliyev for many times, but he didn’t accept it and returned to Azerbaijan. Rashid Aliyev last returned to Iran on October 5 after insistance of the company’s director Abbas Eftekhari. On October 6, he was arrested for alleged visa problem.

Aliyev is accused of sending data concerning the laser technology and electronic systems to Azerbaijan.


/APA/