Witnesses testified at Zeynalli’s trial

The trial of Khural newspaper editor-in-chief Avaz Zeynalli at the Baku Grave Crimes Court continued on Wednesday.

The hearing was presided by judge Ramella Allahverdiyeva, who rejected Zeynalli's objections to the public prosecutor and to the judge.

Then lawyer Elchin Sadigov noted that he had left the previous hearing following the objection of Avaz Zeynalli and in response to this move, judge Ramella Allahverdiyeva sent a letter to the Bar of Lawyers raising her concern over Sadigov's behavior. Sadigov told the judge that the facts had been distorted in that letter.  

Former director of Kurort JSC Akif Mammadov, who testified as a witness, said that Khural newspaper published libelous articles about him in 2006 and he met with Avaz Zeynalli to clarify the matter. Mammadov cited Zeynalli as saying that he would stop publishing articles about Mammadov if the latter bought a personal computer for Khural’s office. Mammadov says the Khural went on with publishing those articles as he refused to buy the PC, adding that his friend Khanoglan Maharramov paid 4000 USD to Zeynalli to stop the publication of these articles.

Witness Khanoglan Maharramov confirmed giving the money to Zeynalli, but his testimony was found to be contradictory both with his own previous testimony given during the preliminary investigation and with the testimonies of other witnesses.

Avaz Zeynalli rejected taking any bribes, saying that it was proved by the contradictions in the testimonies of the witnesses.

The proceeding will continue on August 1st 3:00pm with the testimony of witnesses.

Avaz Zeynalli is charged under Article 311.3.3 (taking large bribe) and Article 311.3.4(extortion) of the Criminal Code.