The president of Nefas LGBT Azerbaijan Alliance fears for his life and that of his fiance, according to the group’s Facebook page.

A photo of their engagement posted on social media was then published by media outlets in the Caspian Sea country without their permission.

Homosexuality is not illegal in Azerbaijan but there is strong public disapproval of gay people who are seen as abnormal.

Javid (Atilla) Nabiyev has since received death threats on his Facebook profile and has deactivated it.

‘Now he can’t go out in public because of danger of attack that may occur,’ states the Facebook post. ‘Even a few people from his neighborhood threatened him that they would tell everyone and embarrass him.’

His fiance, identified only as M.A., is allegedly being held captive by his family and was forced to tell Nabiyev: ‘Do not contact me anymore, it’s over.’

M.A. is reportedly the same person whose mother, according to news reports, had previously allegedly attempted to burn him alive by dousing him with gasoline while he was in bed.

Nefes LGBT is a non-governmental organization in Baku focusing on LGBT issues. It posted this message on its Twitter page Wednesday (24 September): ‘URGENT! – Attack toward gay couple in Azerbaijan which got engaged RT PLEASE.’