On January 14th, Sumgait Appeals Court heard the appeal of “Guzgu” reporter Kamran Bayaliyev against the Gubadli Regional Court decision, on the lawsuit filed against Bayaliyev by Jeyranbatan Settlement residents Idris Zeynalov and Imran Novruzov. A

The Gubadli Court judgment had found the journalist guilty under Articles 127 (inflicting intentional minor bodily harm) and 221.2.1 (hooliganism) of the Criminal Code. Bayaliyev spoke with IRFS correspondents.

In today’s hearing, Bayaliyev filed a motion requesting a serious investigation and further interrogation of the witnesses. Judge Vidadi Jafarov fulfilled the motion and rescheduled the hearing for January 24.
BACKGROUND
On September 11th, 2009, a dispute broke out between “Guzgu” newspaper correspondent Kamran Beyeliyev, and Idris Zeynalov and Imran Novruzov, who rented a café on Baku-Sumgayit highway belonging 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.
“Guzgu” is a pro-governmental newspaper, published since 22 July, 1992.