Yesterday, 21 May, in the Yasamal District Court, under the chairmanship of Judge Fuad Talishinski, a hearing was held on the lawsuit of "Ashrafi" LTD's Founder and director Ashraf Zeynalov against "Gundalik Baki" Newspaper.
"Gundalik Baki" Newspaper’s Chief Editor Adil Huseynli told the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety that the lawsuit stems from series of articles published in the newspaper.
Plaintiff A.Zeynalov considers that “Ashrafi” firm’s business image and his honor and dignity have been damaged by the articles. Zeynalov filed two separate lawsuits – one for his business image and the other to defend his honor and dignity, and is seeking the publication of a refutation, and 1 million AZN from the newspaper for each lawsuit in compensation for moral damages.
During the previous hearings “Gundalik Baki" Newspaper’s representative told the court that the plaintiff made several law violations in the composition of the lawsuit and demanded that a document proving who the plaintiff is and where he lives be submitted to the court.
Yesterday the representative of the plaintiff Tofig Aslanov submitted a document about the plaintiff’s residence. The judge said that the information inquiry addressed to the Ministry of Tax was responded to and it is indicated there that “Ashrafi” operates as specialized wholesale center. Defendant’s representative Jeyhun Jafarov gave information about the essence of the motion and asked the court to conduct a linguistic examination if there are sentences damaging to honor and dignity in the article. The plaintiff’s representative Tofig Aslanov said that all of the sentences about “Ashrafi” firm are degrading to honor and dignity.
“Gundalik Baki" Newspaper’s Editor-in-chief Habil Valiyev told the court that they have been sued by 6 or 7 parties for the same article, and in several hearings decisions against plaintiffs have been adopted. Stating that a linguistic examination was considered on several lawsuits, H.Valiyev says that this should be done on this lawsuit also. Emphasizing that after the examination results come out, they will have proved their articles in the newspaper, Valiyev said they have facts in their hands regarding writings. After listening to both sides, judge Talishinski said the motion was fulfilled. The next hearing will be scheduled after the examination results.
Plaintiff A.Zeynalov considers that “Ashrafi” firm’s business image and his honor and dignity have been damaged by the articles. Zeynalov filed two separate lawsuits – one for his business image and the other to defend his honor and dignity, and is seeking the publication of a refutation, and 1 million AZN from the newspaper for each lawsuit in compensation for moral damages.
During the previous hearings “Gundalik Baki" Newspaper’s representative told the court that the plaintiff made several law violations in the composition of the lawsuit and demanded that a document proving who the plaintiff is and where he lives be submitted to the court.
Yesterday the representative of the plaintiff Tofig Aslanov submitted a document about the plaintiff’s residence. The judge said that the information inquiry addressed to the Ministry of Tax was responded to and it is indicated there that “Ashrafi” operates as specialized wholesale center. Defendant’s representative Jeyhun Jafarov gave information about the essence of the motion and asked the court to conduct a linguistic examination if there are sentences damaging to honor and dignity in the article. The plaintiff’s representative Tofig Aslanov said that all of the sentences about “Ashrafi” firm are degrading to honor and dignity.
“Gundalik Baki" Newspaper’s Editor-in-chief Habil Valiyev told the court that they have been sued by 6 or 7 parties for the same article, and in several hearings decisions against plaintiffs have been adopted. Stating that a linguistic examination was considered on several lawsuits, H.Valiyev says that this should be done on this lawsuit also. Emphasizing that after the examination results come out, they will have proved their articles in the newspaper, Valiyev said they have facts in their hands regarding writings. After listening to both sides, judge Talishinski said the motion was fulfilled. The next hearing will be scheduled after the examination results.