Real Caucasus network (www.realcaucasus.org) was attacked by hackers on April 7 morning. As result, the server got overloaded and stopped handling requests. The network blocking coincided with the Azeri secret services’ operation in Avar-populated regions of the country. Media reports say that four people are arrested, houses searched and cars from Avar-populated settlement examined. Earlier, the Azeri law enforcers detained 7 people, including one Russian citizen, on accusation of terrorism.

Not satisfied with detainments, the Azeri state machine decided to block information flow from the Avar regions by engaging hackers.

The coordination council of Real Caucasus network urges the Azerbaijani authorities to put an end to illegal persecution of native peoples in the southern regions of the country and calls on the international advocacy organizations to address the problems of national minorities in Azerbaijan, who need to be rescued from Baku’s policy aimed at assimilation or exile of non-Turkic population.