On 19 April the Baku Appeals Court heard the appeal filed by Khural newspaper editor Avaz Zeynalli against January 23 decision of Narimanov District Court which partially granted the lawsuit of Baltika-Baku Brewery director Adam Tlekhuray against the newspaper, editor’s spouse Ms. Malahat Zeynalli told the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety (IRFS).
According to Zeynalli, after a brief deliberation judge T. Aliyev upheld the original decision of Appeals Court to impose 25,000 AZN fine on the newspaper.
Background: Director of Baltika-Baku Brewery, Adam Tlekhuray, filed a lawsuit against Khural over two articles published by the newspaper(‘What is Going on in Khirdalan Brewery?’ and ‘Legendary Khirdalan Beer Goes Sour’) and requested that the newspaper provide retraction and pay 150,000 AZN for libel. Narimanov District Court partially granted the lawsuit, sentencing the newspaper to 50,000 AZN fine. On June 28, 2012 Baku Appeals Court halved this fine. Cassation appeal against this decision was granted by the Supreme Court in December of 2012 and the case was sent back to the Appeals Court for reconsideration.