The editor-in-chief of Note Bone newspaper, Serdar Alibeyli was detained on July 31, his attorney Elchin Sadigov told the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety (IRFS). According to Sadigov, Alibeyli was detained and taken to Khatai District Police Office #37, and was given a 48-hour remand.
“Serdar Alibeyli is charged under Article 221.3 of the Criminal Code (the hooliganism committed with application of a weapon or subjects, used as the weapon). Today I’ll present my warrant to the investigator and seek a meeting with my client” said the lawyer, who does not exclude Alibeyli’s detention being connected with his journalistic activity. Once convicted, the journalist can face a 7-year sentence, added his lawyer.
In order to confirm the journalist’s detention at the above-mentioned police office, IRFS contacted the Khatai District Police Office #37. The police office denied the information about Alibeyli’s detention there.
Head of the Interior Ministry’s press service department, Orkhan Mansurzadeh told IRFS that he is not informed about the case, but it will be investigated.