Imprisoned journalist Eynulla Fatullayev’s father Emin Fatullayev is not allowed to meet with his son in prison, Emin Fatullayev told IRFS today.
Fatullayev says that he has been unable to meet with his son for a month and 10 days. “I have appealed to Supreme Court Judge Imran Hajigayibov regarding this issue, but there is no result yet.”
Justice Ministry Penitentiary Service spokesman Mehman Sadigov told IRFS that he must get approval from the court in order to meet with his son. He cited the legislation, according to which, the persons, whose case is under investigation or at the execution of any court, can meet with their relatives upon getting a court approval. “Emin Fatullayev can meet his son, if the presiding Judge allows.”
IRFS made attempts to contact the Supreme Court; however, there was no response to phone calls.
BACKGROUND
On the 20th of April, 2007, Fatullayev was arrested in court after a ruling by the Yasamal District Court on the lawsuit brought by Refugee/IDP Rights Defense Committee chairperson Tatyana Chaladze. After Fatullayev’s arrest, a criminal case was opened against him by the National Security Ministry Chief Investigative Office, regarding an article published in Realniy Azerbaijan newspaper. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the article caused foreign citizens and representatives of international organizations to be concerned for their safety. He was convicted under Articles 214.1 and 283.2.2 of the Criminal Code: threatening terror and incitement of ethnic/national, social or religious hatred abusing authority. He was sentenced to pre-trial detention. Fatullayev was then convicted under 213.2.2 (tax evasion). He was finally sentenced to 8.5 years in prison on the 30th of October, 2007 and fined 242,522 AZN by the Grave Crimes Court.
On the 29th of December, 2009, 0.223 grams of heroin was reportedly found on Fatullayev in Prison #12 and on the 6th of July, 2010, Fatullayev was found guilty under article 234.1 (Illegal possession of narcotics in an amount exceeding the limit for personal consumption) of the Criminal Code. His sentence of two years and six months in prison began on the same date. Fatullayev and his lawyer believe that this incident was a set-up, organized so that the court could avoid complying with the decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) regarding the journalist's release.
On the 22nd of April, 2010, the ECHR issued a decision that Fatullayev should be released immediately, and that the Azerbaijani government should pay 27,822 EUR to Fatullayev in compensation. The Plenum of Supreme Court partially fulfilled this decision on November 11. However, the Supreme Court judgment was completely changed later.
The journalist’s appeal against the Garadag District Court decision is considered in Court of Appeals at present. In addition, Eynulla Fatullayev also appealed against Appeals Court decision on his pre-trial imprisonment, and also demands payment of compensation to him in accordance with European Court of Human Rights decision. The appeal is considered at Supreme Court.
Fatullayev established and was the Editor-in-chief of both Realniy Azerbaijan and Gundelik Azerbaijan newspapers. First published in 2005, Realniy Azerbaijan ran as a weekly newspaper, while Gundelik Azerbaijan was published daily. The newspapers stopped running after Fatullayev's arrest in 2007.
Justice Ministry Penitentiary Service spokesman Mehman Sadigov told IRFS that he must get approval from the court in order to meet with his son. He cited the legislation, according to which, the persons, whose case is under investigation or at the execution of any court, can meet with their relatives upon getting a court approval. “Emin Fatullayev can meet his son, if the presiding Judge allows.”
IRFS made attempts to contact the Supreme Court; however, there was no response to phone calls.
BACKGROUND
On the 20th of April, 2007, Fatullayev was arrested in court after a ruling by the Yasamal District Court on the lawsuit brought by Refugee/IDP Rights Defense Committee chairperson Tatyana Chaladze. After Fatullayev’s arrest, a criminal case was opened against him by the National Security Ministry Chief Investigative Office, regarding an article published in Realniy Azerbaijan newspaper. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the article caused foreign citizens and representatives of international organizations to be concerned for their safety. He was convicted under Articles 214.1 and 283.2.2 of the Criminal Code: threatening terror and incitement of ethnic/national, social or religious hatred abusing authority. He was sentenced to pre-trial detention. Fatullayev was then convicted under 213.2.2 (tax evasion). He was finally sentenced to 8.5 years in prison on the 30th of October, 2007 and fined 242,522 AZN by the Grave Crimes Court.
On the 29th of December, 2009, 0.223 grams of heroin was reportedly found on Fatullayev in Prison #12 and on the 6th of July, 2010, Fatullayev was found guilty under article 234.1 (Illegal possession of narcotics in an amount exceeding the limit for personal consumption) of the Criminal Code. His sentence of two years and six months in prison began on the same date. Fatullayev and his lawyer believe that this incident was a set-up, organized so that the court could avoid complying with the decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) regarding the journalist's release.
On the 22nd of April, 2010, the ECHR issued a decision that Fatullayev should be released immediately, and that the Azerbaijani government should pay 27,822 EUR to Fatullayev in compensation. The Plenum of Supreme Court partially fulfilled this decision on November 11. However, the Supreme Court judgment was completely changed later.
The journalist’s appeal against the Garadag District Court decision is considered in Court of Appeals at present. In addition, Eynulla Fatullayev also appealed against Appeals Court decision on his pre-trial imprisonment, and also demands payment of compensation to him in accordance with European Court of Human Rights decision. The appeal is considered at Supreme Court.
Fatullayev established and was the Editor-in-chief of both Realniy Azerbaijan and Gundelik Azerbaijan newspapers. First published in 2005, Realniy Azerbaijan ran as a weekly newspaper, while Gundelik Azerbaijan was published daily. The newspapers stopped running after Fatullayev's arrest in 2007.