Seventeen University of Richmond professors and administrators have written a letter to the president of Azerbaijan seeking his intervention in the case of a UR graduate who was beaten and arrested for what his supporters say are political reasons. Adnan Hajizada, a 2005 UR graduate, and another Azeri political activist were arrested July 8 and charged with hooliganism after they reported being attacked in a restaurant by two strangers.

A 2005 University of Richmond graduate known for his political blogs and protests has been arrested in his native Azerbaijan in a case that is drawing international attention. Adnan Hajizada, who recently dressed up in a donkey suit for a mock online news conference critical of the government, is being held on charges of hooliganism, according to The New York Times.