On June 6th, Baku Appeals Court under Judge Togrul Aliyev held a hearing on the appeal by businessman Anar Mammadov, the son of transportation minister Ziya Mammadov, against the January 23rd 2012 decision by Yasamal District Court on his lawsuit against Yeni Musavat and Azadlig newspapers.
Vagif Huseyn, the lawyer of Yeni Musavat reported to the IRFS today (June 7th). Anar Mammadov has sued the newspapers for disgracing his honor, dignity and business reputation, and demanded compensation for psychological damage.
According to Huseyn, the defendant objected to the panel of judges due to their alleged previous unfair rulings against the newspapers. In his speech, Ruslan Mammadov, lawyer for the defendant, declared that the fines should be much larger and pledged their commitment to achieving this outcome. He threatened Yeni Musavat newspaper, saying: “We can stop Yeni Musavat’s activity if necessary.” Judge Aliyev scheduled the next hearing for June 12th 4:00pm.
According to Huseyn, the defendant objected to the panel of judges due to their alleged previous unfair rulings against the newspapers. In his speech, Ruslan Mammadov, lawyer for the defendant, declared that the fines should be much larger and pledged their commitment to achieving this outcome. He threatened Yeni Musavat newspaper, saying: “We can stop Yeni Musavat’s activity if necessary.” Judge Aliyev scheduled the next hearing for June 12th 4:00pm.
Mammadov appealed to the court citing humiliation of his honor and damage to his business image in the article titled "Kamaladdin Heydarov's bear eaten" (published in Azadlig on 1 July, 2010 and in Yeni Musavat on 2 July, 2010), and in the article titled "Sheikh drives Anar Mammadov out of Dubai" (published in Yeni Musavat on 14 September, 2010).
Mammadov demanded 250,000 AZN from each newspaper in compensation.
On January 23rd 2012 Yasamal District Court partially granted the lawsuit by fining each newspaper 2000 manat and requiring that each publish a retraction and apologize.