BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) Authorities in Azerbaijan say one of the country's leading players is among six people arrested in connection with the death of a journalist who criticized him.
Journalist Rasim Aliyev died Sunday, a day after receiving a severe beating. According to Azerbaijani media, Aliyev said he had been attacked after going to meet a man who introduced himself as footballer Javid Huseynov's cousin.
Aliyev had criticized Huseynov in a Facebook post as ''ignorant and unable to behave himself,'' accusing him of insulting behavior after a Europa League game Thursday, in which Huseynov scored the winning goal for Azerbaijan's FC Gabala against Apollon Limassol of Cyprus.
In a joint statement Tuesday, Azerbaijani police and prosecutors said Huseynov, an Azerbaijan international, was among six arrested in connection with the death. He is accused of covering up a serious crime and failing to inform authorities.
