On May 22 Press Council Chairman Aflatun Amashov, PC members Mehman Aliyev and Umid Rahimoglu visited imprisoned “Azadlig” Newspaper Correspondent Ganimat Zahid in Prison #17 and imprisoned “Bizim Yol” correspondent Mushfig Huseynov in Prison #2, and on May 23 they visited imprisoned Editor-in-chief of “Realniy Azerbayjan” and Gundalik Azerbayjan” Newspapers Eynulla Fatullayev in Prison 12.
The Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety was told this by PC member, “Turan” Information Agency Director Mehman Aliyev.
According to Aliyev, the imprisoned journalists don’t have complaints about their health or prison conditions. Only G.Zahid mentioned that he has already served one third of his prison term and appealed to PC representatives to assist him to be freed, according to Aliyev. Considering the appeal of G.Zahid, A.Amashov said he will appeal to the government organs regarding this.
Recall that Mushfig Huseynov was convicted under Article 311.1 (receiving of a bribe) of the Criminal Code and on 21 January 2008 was sentenced by Grave Crimes Court Judge Jamal Ramazanov to 6 years of imprisonment, followed by 2 year ban on his writing activity. However, this sentence was reduced to 5 years through a decision adopted by Appellate Court Judge Sahibkhan Mirzayev on 4 April 2008.
Ganimat Zahid was convicted under articles 127.2.3 (hooliganism with intentional infliction of minor bodily harm) and 221 (hooliganism) of the Criminal Code and imprisoned for four years.
"Gundelik Azerbaijan" and "Realniy Azerbaijan" newspapers' editor-in-chief Eynulla Fatullayev was sentenced to 2.5 years of imprisonment on 21 April 2007 for insulting honor and dignity. Later he was convicted under articles 214.1 (threatening terror), 283.2.2 (incitement of ethnic/national, social or religious hatred abusing authority), and 213.2.2 (tax evasion) of the Criminal Code and was sentenced to 8.5 years of imprisonment on 30 October 2007.
According to Aliyev, the imprisoned journalists don’t have complaints about their health or prison conditions. Only G.Zahid mentioned that he has already served one third of his prison term and appealed to PC representatives to assist him to be freed, according to Aliyev. Considering the appeal of G.Zahid, A.Amashov said he will appeal to the government organs regarding this.
Recall that Mushfig Huseynov was convicted under Article 311.1 (receiving of a bribe) of the Criminal Code and on 21 January 2008 was sentenced by Grave Crimes Court Judge Jamal Ramazanov to 6 years of imprisonment, followed by 2 year ban on his writing activity. However, this sentence was reduced to 5 years through a decision adopted by Appellate Court Judge Sahibkhan Mirzayev on 4 April 2008.
Ganimat Zahid was convicted under articles 127.2.3 (hooliganism with intentional infliction of minor bodily harm) and 221 (hooliganism) of the Criminal Code and imprisoned for four years.
"Gundelik Azerbaijan" and "Realniy Azerbaijan" newspapers' editor-in-chief Eynulla Fatullayev was sentenced to 2.5 years of imprisonment on 21 April 2007 for insulting honor and dignity. Later he was convicted under articles 214.1 (threatening terror), 283.2.2 (incitement of ethnic/national, social or religious hatred abusing authority), and 213.2.2 (tax evasion) of the Criminal Code and was sentenced to 8.5 years of imprisonment on 30 October 2007.