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Today, on 27 August, in the Narimanov District Court, under the chairmanship of Judge Arif Ismayilov, a hearing was held on the civil lawsuit filed against Khural newspaper by Vugar Safarli, executive director of the State Support Fund for Mass Media Development under the President of the Azerbaijan Republic.
The plaintiff’s representatives Aydin Karimov and Rashad Rahimov, and defendant Khural newspaper Editor-in-chief Avaz Zeynalli and his representative Elchin Sadigov participated in the hearing.
In light of the fact that the hearing is open to journalists, the defendant`s representative, Elchin Sadigov filed a motion demanding permission to record video and take photos. The motion also demanded an investigation into what prompted the writing of the article in question, and a presentation of the results of the first contest held by the State Support Fund for Mass Media Development (SSFMMD) to the court. Avaz Zeynalli recalled the motion filed in the last hearing demanding to ensure Vugar Safarli’s participation in the hearing.
After consideration, the Judge rejected the motions and scheduled the next hearing for the 11th of October at 12:30 p.m.
BACKGROUND
Vugar Safarli claimed that his honor and dignity were offended by the expression ‘press butcher’ that was in the article 'Ilham Aliyev is not the president of Khural newspaper' published in Khural’s 25-31 July issue, and written by Avaz Zeynalli. Safarli filed a lawsuit demanding a refutation be published in the newspaper and 10,000 AZN in compensation.
Khural newspaper was established in October 2002 and is published once a week.
Khural newspaper was established in October 2002 and is published once a week.
The State Support Fund for the Development of Mass Media was created by a decree signed by Azerbaijan Republic's President, Ilham Aliyev, on the 3 April, 2009. Vugar Safarli was appointed the executive director of the Fund by a decree signed by the president in May 2009.