Summary: Hearing 1 (April 1)
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Journalist Gulu Maharramli filed a motion requesting that the private prosecutor Arif Alishanov attend the hearing;
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Gulu Maharramli’s lawyer Javid Rzazade also noted that Arif Alishanov should participate in the hearing;
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The judge granted journalist Gulu Maharramli’s motion, saying that as the case at hand concerned an individual defending his own honor and dignity, the private prosecutor Arif Alishanov needed to attend the court hearing;
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The hearing was postponed indefinitely in order to determine the date for the private prosecutor’s participation in the hearing.
Yasamal District Court chaired by Judge Azer Tagiyev commenced judicial proceedings on the private prosecution case brought by state television AzTV’s Chairman Arif Alishanov against journalist Gulu Maharramli under Articles 147 (libel) and 148 (insult) of the Criminal Code.
The hearing was attended by private prosecutor Arif Alishanov’s representative Zaur Abbasov, journalist Gulu Maharramli and the journalist’s lawyer Javid Rzazade.
Journalist’s motion:
Journalist Gulu Maharramli lodged a motion at the hearing. He requested that private prosecutor Arif Alishanov attend the hearing. “Let Arif Alishanov come and tell us what damage he has suffered and what he accuses me of. He has sued me for my interview. It is my job to give interviews. Let him come and explain why he has sued me and how I insulted him,” Gulu Maharramli said.
Gulu Maharramli’s lawyer Javid Rzazade also noted that Arif Alishanov’s participation was necessary. “Arif Alishanov claims that his honor and dignity have been insulted. Since honor and dignity are an exclusively personal matter, he should come and participate in person,” the lawyer said.
The judge granted journalist Gulu Maharramli’s motion, saying that as the case at hand concerned an individual defending his own honor and dignity, the private prosecutor Arif Alishanov needed to attend the court hearing.
The hearing was postponed indefinitely in order to determine the date for the private prosecutor’s participation in the hearing.
Background: The reason Arif Alishanov sued Gulu Maharramli is the journalist’s critical remarks about the current head of AzTV in his interview with Moderator.az on the 60th anniversary of TV broadcasting in Azerbaijan. AzTV chairman has also filed a civil suit against the journalist demanding compensation in the amount of 100,000 AZN.