Journalist dies killed by 'revenge attack' following criticism of footballer on Facebook

A journalist has died in hospital after being ambushed by a group of people in what officials believe was a revenge attack for a Facebook post criticising a footballer.

Azerbaijan reporter Rasim Aliyev, who worked for the ANN.az website, was badly beaten by a group of six men on Saturday night, and died of his injuries on Sunday morning.

Officials have linked his attack to criticism of footballer Jasid Huseynov - but human rights groups have warned they suspect his killing may have more to do with his work exposing police brutality and social discontent in the country.

In a final interview hosted by Meydan TV on YouTube, he said he was phoned by people angry about the posts, and said a man claiming to be Huseynov's cousin had asked to meet him.

When he arrived, he was attacked.

Aliyev had turned to Facebook to accuse the sportsman of being "amoral and impertinent" for waving a Turkish flag during a Europa league mach in Cyprus, and then allegedly making an obscene hand gesture at a Greek journalist who asked him about it afterwards.

He said he did not want such a man to represent his country.

Huseynov - captain of his team, FC Gabala - has been suspended from play by the club until any questions over his involvement are solved.

In a statement, the club said it was in "deep mourning" after the death of the journalist, and said it remained "tolerant" of all criticisms by the media.

Twelve human rights groups - including the Sport for Rights coalition, Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, Index on Censorship, International Media Support and PEN American Centre - have called on Azerbaijani authorities to carry out a full and transparent investigation into Aliyev's death.

They have accused President Ilham Aliyev - who is no relation - of silencing opponents and jailing critics, including journalists, though authorities have denied this.

The president's aide for public affairs, Ali Hasanov, said the killing was being treated as a "threat to the freedom of speech and information, and free activity of the mass media" in the country.