Today, the Sumgait Appeals Court heard the appeal of “Guzgu” reporter Kamran Bayaliyev. He was appealing against the Gubadli Regional Court’s decision on the lawsuit filed against him by Idris Zeynalov and Imran Novruzov.

The Gubadli Court had found him guilty under Articles 127 and 221.2.1 of the Criminal Code (inflicting intentional minor bodily harm and hooliganism), Bayaliyev stated.  

Bayaliyev, his lawyer Vugar Khasayev, and Idris Zeynalov and Imran Novruzov from the opposing side attended the hearing.
After the testimonies, the Judge scheduled the next hearing for 10 am on 7 March.

BACKGROUND
On September 11th 2009, a dispute broke out between “Guzgu” newspaper correspondent Kamran Beyeliyev, and Idris Zeynalov and Imran Novruzov, who were renting a café on Baku-Sumgayit highway. The cafe belonged to Sabir Gafarov. The conflict began with the demand that Beyeliyev stop publishing articles about the cafe. Zeynalov and Novruzov sued Bayaliyev, and the Gubadli Regional Court sentenced him to one year of corrective labor.