Sabail District Court, chaired by Judge Rauf Ahmadov, considered a complaint filed by Fikrat Faramazoglu, the Editor-in-Chief editor of the Journalistic Research Centre (jam.az) news website, regarding his allegation of torture. Faramazoglu states that he was beaten at the Main Organised Crime Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, an assault which left him with broken teeth. The complaint was filed in regard to this matter, his lawyer Elchin Sadigov told the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety (IRFS).
The lawyer also told Turan news agency that despite his petition to ensure Faramazoglu’s presence at the hearing, his client was not brought to the court.
According to the Sadigov, his petition to arrange a second forensic medical examination for Faramazoglu was also denied.
Sabail District Court dismissed the journalist’s complaint.
Elchin Sadigov said he would appeal the court’s decision.
Fikrat Faramazoglu was arrested on 30 June 2016. He is charged under Article 182 (extortion) of the Criminal Code. On 2 July 2016, Narimanov District Court ordered his pre-trial detention.