APPEAL SENT TO U.S. PRESIDENT REGARDING IMPRISONED BLOGGERS

Blogger Adnan Hajizade’s father Hikmat Hajizade, father of Blogger Adnan Hajizade, and another Lerla Karimli , who is the spouse of imprisoned blogger Emin Milli’s spouse Lerla Karimli have adressed sent an open letter to U.S. President Barack Obama, Hikmat Hajizadeh told IRFS on 24 September.

Hajizade said that they asked the U.S. President to discuss the imprisonment of
the youth bloggers Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade under falsifiede hooliganism
chargesaccusation, in his meeting with the Azerbaijani President during thein frame
of 65th UN General Assembly Session. “We noted in the letter that the international
community condemned the imprisonment of the bloggers and, repeatedly called
on the government to release them. Azerbaijani authorities violated international
obligations of Azerbaijan by holding shameful trials,” he said.

“We request that you to raise this issue in your meeting with Ilham Aliyev and, call
on him tofor release of Emin and Adnan. Your calling This will become a strong sign
of support for theto protection of freedom of speech freedom and it will play a crucial role, ” the letter says.

BACKGROUND

On 8 July, at approximately 8:00 p.m., Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade were sitting at a table in the “Lebonese” (Livan) restaurant along with several other young adults, when two people who looked like sportsmen approachedcame up to them, and attacked them causing physical injuries. Although Milli and Hajizadethey appealed to the police as victims, the police detained themAdnan and Emin as suspected persons for 48 hours and freed the attackers. On 10 July, Sabail District Court Judge Rauf Ahmadov issued a decision under article 221.2.1 (hooliganism) of the Criminal Code, sentencing to sentence Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade to a two-
month pre-trial detention. On 20 July 20, the Appellate Court upheld the decision of
the lower court. The investigation of the criminal case was concluded and a criminal
case under articles 221.2.1 (hooliganism) and 127 (inflicting intentional minor bodily
harm) was opened against E.Millli and A.Hajizade. Tand the case was sent to the
court to be considered. According to the verdict of the Sabail district Court, Emin
Milli was sentenced to 2.,5 years in mprisonment and Adnan Hajizade to 2 years in
mprisonment on 11 November. On 10 March, the Baku Appellate Court ruledadopted a decision to uphold the verdict of the Sabail District Court. Local and international organizations recognized the youth bloggers as prisoners of conscience.