On April 25, Baku Appeal Court denied the appeal filed against Nasimi Court decision on pretrial detention of journalist Rauf Mirgadirov, who was arrested on treason charges.
In an interview after the hearing, lawyer Fuad Agayev said the court without any legal basis rejected the request for replacement of the pretrial detention measure.
Note that on April 25 the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety sent appeals to the Ministry of National Security (MNS) and the Prosecutor General’s Office for a meeting with the journalist.
Background: Rauf Mirgadirov, correspondent of Baku-based Zerkalo newspaper, was arrested by MNS employees on April 19 after being deported to Baku from Turkish capital city Ankara where he had been living since 2010. He is charged under Article 274 (treason) of the Criminal Code. Nasimi district court has ordered him to serve 3 months of pretrial detention.