The evolution of a Twitter story

The following is a record of how the story of the arrest and detention of two Azerbaijani bloggers and youth movement leaders played out on Twitter. The text messaging social networking medium was the first to break the news and was days ahead of mainstream media. The following is a record of the tweets that were sent out as Adnan Hajizada and Emin Abdullayev (Milli) were arrested.

The transcript was recorded by blogger and journalist Ali S. Novruzov.This site wants to thank Ali for sharing this information.
Tweeting an arrest and detention

The OL! Youth Movement members covered the 10 July arrest of Adnan Hajizada, one of their founders and members, and Emin Abdullayev (Milli) of Alumni Network through Twitter.

The unfolding story was relayed in 140-character text messages by supporters gathered outside the Sabail District Police Office.

Here are their tweets as recorded by Ali S Novrouzov.
The story of the arrest and hearing unfolds in text messages

hi, live updates from in front of police station.

http://twitter.com/olmedia/status/2565225652

Vakile göre Adnan ve Emine minimum 2 ay ya da 15 gun vere bilerler. Vekile gore azadliqa cixmag ehtimallari chox azdir. [According to the lawyer, Adnan and Emin can get two months or 15 days of detention. Lawyer says that there are little chance that they can be released]

http://twitter.com/olmedia/status/2566214012

Officials from American Embassy are in police department. They want to deliver food for detainees-EMIN and Adnan.

http://twitter.com/olmedia/status/2566264295


Police is expected to take Emin and Adnan to the court through the back door.

http://twitter.com/olmedia/status/2566544814

According to rumours that Adnan and Emin will be taken to the court soon and people gathered in front of police department will get beaten by police

http://twitter.com/olmedia/status/2566883977

A lot of police force is gathered on back side of police department. Rumours that adnan and emin will be taken from back door.

http://twitter.com/olmedia/status/2566987562

Rumour: provokers are hired for massing up the crowd gathered in front of police department.

http://twitter.com/olmedia/status/2567035691

According to police adnan and emin are taken either to court or prosecutor's office.

http://twitter.com/olmedia/status/2567440349

Police is dispersing the crowd. Member of euro comission is telling us to go to the court. People don't know where to go.

http://twitter.com/olmedia/status/2567496488


Group of people are going to the court. Euro comission representative is also among us.

http://twitter.com/olmedia/status/2567502038

Around 40 people are standing in front of the court. Journalists, reps of international and local NGOs are here as well.

http://twitter.com/olmedia/status/2567810541

Adnan's attorney entered the court building. Number of people gathered in front of the court is increasing.

http://twitter.com/olmedia/status/2567958270

German ombudsman has came. They dont let him in

http://twitter.com/olmedia/status/2568564710

Judge doesnt let German ombudsman to follow the process.

http://twitter.com/olmedia/status/2569085361


on of Human Rights and political freedom" On top, he mentioned that this will definitely affect both political and economical relations between Germany a

http://twitter.com/olmedia/status/2569765923

#azeriyouthdetained German Ombudsman mentioned three points to the chief judge of the court Gulzar Rzayeva: "1. This is clearly a political provocation

http://twitter.com/olmedia/status/2569765946

and will be spread among the international community. 2. Detainees didn't get appropriate medical treatment. 3. Closed trial is against European Convention

http://twitter.com/olmedia/status/2569766032

and Azerbaijan.

http://twitter.com/olmedia/status/2569766624

People gathered in front of the court building sang the national anthem of Azerbaijan

http://twitter.com/olmedia/status/2569987360


Reps of US embassies are trying to enter the court house.

http://twitter.com/olmedia/status/2570526301

Adnan is sentenced for 2 months inprisonment.

http://twitter.com/olmedia/status/2570557959

Adnan's attorney will apply to court of apeal and european court of human rights.

http://twitter.com/olmedia/status/2570650437

Police arrived to disperse the crowd, young people don't want to leave.

http://twitter.com/olmedia/status/2570767099

Adnan and Emin are expected to leave now.

http://twitter.com/olmedia/status/2570771586

People don't want to leave. Human rights defenders are asking people to leave,young people are disobeying.

http://twitter.com/olmedia/status/2571009521


Human rights defenders are arguing with police. Chief of Police department: "u are not obeying rule of law, therefore get in trouble"

http://twitter.com/olmedia/status/2571059404


Adnan and Emin are taken to detention center. People are scattered around. Adnan and Emin have requested toyuq kababi (chicken kebab)

http://twitter.com/olmedia/status/2571309015
And this from another person on Twitter

German HR Commsnr out - trial midday public "victims" more injured than emin & adnan

http://twitter.com/ljmaximus/status/2564410398

They are bringing Adnan. German HRC: it can be a scandal beyond Azeri borders

http://twitter.com/ljmaximus/status/2564536082


Emin & Adnan is here! Police: do not smoke in front of station

http://twitter.com/ljmaximus/status/2564618212

I forgot to say I am tweeting in front of police station

http://twitter.com/ljmaximus/status/2564688875

Police ordered people to disperse from police station. Journalists argue.

http://twitter.com/ljmaximus/status/2564772706


Sitting in chaikhana with Emin's lawyer, another lawyer inside

http://twitter.com/ljmaximus/status/2564874029

US and German representative here, EU representative left

http://twitter.com/ljmaximus/status/2565121028

Second lawyer allowed inside

http://twitter.com/ljmaximus/status/2565167288

Sweeper sent to "sweep" the front of the station

http://twitter.com/ljmaximus/status/2565274562


People drink red bull. Police tempted. They have also started to drink redbull

http://twitter.com/ljmaximus/status/2565508956


Lala brought apricots to us. Delicious!

http://twitter.com/ljmaximus/status/2565628435

Police forced people to one side of the pavement at least 10 meters away from station

http://twitter.com/ljmaximus/status/2565665443

Journalists and activists chat with ordinary policemen about non-violence and detainees

http://twitter.com/ljmaximus/status/2565813161

Trial IS today, don't believe to rumours!

http://twitter.com/ljmaximus/status/2565910431

NDI & IRI reps here; Lala brought cherries!

http://twitter.com/ljmaximus/status/2565940414

Sweeper disperse people with broom. Shock videos shot, will be published later!

http://twitter.com/ljmaximus/status/2566039654

Lawyer gives interview: successful precedent 0%

http://twitter.com/ljmaximus/status/2566076595

Just mistook Adnan's uncle for a spy

http://twitter.com/ljmaximus/status/256625551

just waiting for trial

http://twitter.com/ljmaximus/status/2566452198

Reportedly, Azeri ombudsman is going to arrive at police station

http://twitter.com/ljmaximus/status/2566638014

False news - ombudsman is NOT coming. NOT!

http://twitter.com/ljmaximus/status/2566814846

Pls, more foreign observers, with last observer left, we'd be dispersed!

http://twitter.com/ljmaximus/status/2566873748

EU Representative; Emin & Adnan out?

http://twitter.com/ljmaximus/status/2567292161

Everyone left for the court!

http://twitter.com/ljmaximus/status/256763491

People are waiting in front of the court. No one are let in.

http://twitter.com/ljmaximus/status/25678405

But they are not there, at court!!!

http://twitter.com/ljmaximus/status/2567873890

Leyla Yunus and lawyers arrived.

http://twitter.com/ljmaximus/status/2567973411

EU, US Representatives, Rasim Musabekov here

http://twitter.com/ljmaximus/status/2568075941

Emin's parents sad and disappointed

http://twitter.com/ljmaximus/status/2568343657


German Ombudsman here and not let in!

http://twitter.com/ljmaximus/status/2568476846

German Ombudsman is not let in still!

http://twitter.com/ljmaximus/status/2568785797

Reportedly, judge refused to let in German ombudsman - 'trial is closed' #Baku #Azerbaijan

http://twitter.com/ljmaximus/status/2568911267

Judge won't let german ombudsman to trial, but let him in to meet in person

http://twitter.com/ljmaximus/status/2569176554

Wow, trial hasn't began yet, tragicomedy!

http://twitter.com/ljmaximus/status/2569225617

German ombudsman out, almost no hope, battery down, no more tweets

http://twitter.com/ljmaximus/status/2569634014

Thanks to blogger and journalist Ali S. Novruzov for recording these tweets.

David Brewer

The author of this piece, David Brewer, is a journalist and media strategy consultant who set up and runs this site, Media Helping Media. He delivers media strategy training and consultancy services worldwide and his business details are at Media Ideas International Ltd. He tweets @helpingmedia.

http://www.mediahelpingmedia.org/training-resources/social-networking/445-the-evolution-of-a-twitter-story