Ombudsman Elmira Suleymanova responded to the appeal of the Institute for
Reporters’ Freedom and Safety (IRFS). At the request of journalist Elmin Badalov,
IRFS appealed to the Ombudsman administration to investigate Baku Appellate Court
judge Jamila Safiyeva who did not allow monitors and journalists into the open hearing.
Ombudsman Elmira Suleymanova signed the response letter that IRFS received today
(4 August). The letter stated that IRFS's appeal had been sent to the Baku Appellate
Court and a response had been received regarding this appeal.
In the response letter, the Baku Appellate Court stated that the judge in charge of the
hearing did not allow media representatives to enter the courthall without permission
after the hearing started, which is in accordance with article 176.4 of the Civil
Procedural Code of the Azerbaijan Republic.
The Appellate Court noted in its letter to the Ombudsman that on 1 July 2010
a letter on this issue was sent to IRFS that stated that anyone, including media
representatives, can participate in open hearings. Additionally, the letter stated that
media representatives participated in the open hearing that was held on 2 July 2010.