Irate Football Fans Beat Journalist Rasim Aliyev to Death After Facebook Post

Rasim Aliyev, a journalist from Azerbaijan, was beaten to death by irate football fans after he criticized a popular player on Facebook. Aliyev was physically attacked and died from the injuries sustained. (View: Violence, Riots Break Out as River Plate Relegated)

After a Europa League qualifying match between Azerbaijani club Gabala FK Football Club and Apollon Limassol (of Cyprus), Aliyev criticised Gabala striker Javid Huseynov for making a rude gesture at a Cypriot journalist. (Watch: Violence Break Out in A Football Match in Kolkata)

The journalist had questioned why Huseynov waved a Turkish flag at Cypriot team's fans. Tensions between Greece and Turkey remain over Cyprus. The country was invaded by Turkey in 1974 and it led to the division of the island. Waving a Turkish flag in front of Cypriot fans is considered offensive.

According to local media reports, Aliyev was lured to meet an unidentified man, who claimed to be Huseynov's relative. But he was beaten up and died due to internal bleeding.

In his Facebook post, Aliyev wrote Huseynov did not know how to behave and called him "immoral and ill-bred" for his conduct.

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has ordered a swift investigation into the death while Gabala FK issued a statement saying that Huseynov was suspended until the issue is clarified. Just before his death, Mr Aliyev gave an interview. Here is the video link