Faramaz Novruzoglu’s trial comes to an end

On August 16th Nizami District Court chaired by judge Imran Burjayev held a hearing on the case of journalist Faramaz Novruzoglu (Allahverdiyev).

Faramaz Novruzoglu (the accused), his new court-appointed lawyer Zabit Mammadov and public prosecutor Asadulla Ramazanov were in attendance.
Novruzoglu objected to the composition of the jury claiming that the jury is prejudiced and they have distorted the testimonies of the witnesses in the protocol. 
After a brief deliberation the judge denied the objection. Then lawyer Mammadov asked the court to acquit Novruzoglu.

Faramaz Novruzoglu requested some time to prepare himself for the final speech. Judge Burjayev postponed the trial until August 22, 2:00pm.
 
Late on April 18th 2012 journalist Faramaz Novruzoglu was arrested by a special operation of the Investigation Department on Grave Crimes under the Prosecutor General’s Office. He is charged under Article 220.2 (appeals to active insubordination to legal requirements of representatives of authority and to mass disorders, as well as appeals to violence towards citizens) and Article 318.1 (Crossing of protected frontier of the Azerbaijan Republic without established documents or outside of check points of frontier). Once found guilty, he may face an imprisonment for a term from 10 up to 15 years. Faramaz Novruzoglu worked for Khural newspaper for a long while. He is one of the founders of “24 hours” and “Nota bene” newspapers, and worked as chief advisor for “Millatim” newspaper.