Today, 2 July, in the Sebail District Court, under the chairmanship of judge Kemale Amirkhanova, a hearing was held on the criminal case under article 221 (hooliganism) of the Criminal Code against Aziz Ahmedov who injured journalist Zulfigar Kheyirkhabar physically.
Zulfigar Kheyirkhabar’s representative Fariz Namazli, convicted person Aziz Ahmedov and state prosecutor Ahmed Jafarov participated in the hearing.
F.Namazli recalled his motion during last hearing regarding holding “Karvan” Tea House Administrator Zaur Gafarov, and Ministry of Emergency Cases employee who was present at the incident and used force against the journalist responsible under article 163 (interference in legal work of journalists) of the Criminal Code, and bringing charges against the Ministry of Emergency Cases Employee under article 309.2 (going beyond duty responsibilities using force) of the Criminal Code. State prosecutor A.Jafarov stated that in order to discuss the motion Z.Kheyirkhabar should participate in the hearing and should discuss more issues.
Convicted person Aziz Ahmedov gave account. He admitted that he punched Z.Kheyirkhabar and he is sorry for this.
Sebail District Police Department Employees Zamig Hajiyev and Arif Ismayilov, who took Z.Kheyirkhabar and other people related in the incident to the police department as the witnesses, gave account and responded to the questions.
Judge K.Amirkhanov scheduled the next hearing for 9 July, at 11.00 a.m.
On 18 February, 2010, Zulfigar Kheyirkhabar who worked as correspondent in “SalamNews” agency on that time was subjected to physical harassment when he tried to prepare information regarding the explosion that happened in “Karvan” tea house. Zaur Gafarov who presented himself as the owner of the café insulted him and hindered his work as a journalist. Then the Ministry of Emergency Cases employee pushed him and tried to carry him from the area. The person called Aziz beat Zulfigar at that time.