The defence of journalist Avaz Zeynally has applied to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) with a request to recognize the violation of his rights under Article 5 (right to liberty and security of person) of the European Convention of Human Rights and Freedoms. Lawyer Fakhraddin Mehtiyev told Turan.
He stated that the Zeynally’s criminal prosecution was illegal.
“On January 8, Avaz Zeynally’s detention period expires. We hope that the court will change the preventive measure and release him from custody,” the lawyer said.
The day before, the lawyer met with Zeynally in the SIS detention centre.
“Avaz has serious health problems. He suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure. Besides, his eyesight has become complicated. He needs urgent surgery,” the lawyer said.
According to him, a ban on visits and phone calls between the journalist and his family is still in effect.
“It was Avaz Zeynally’s birthday on December 16. We hoped that at least on that day he would be allowed to see his loved ones or at least call them, but this did not happen,” Mehdiyev said.
* Recall that lawyer Elchin Sadygov and Avaz Zeynally, founder of the website “Khural TV”, were detained on 10 September on suspicion of taking a bribe. On 11 September a court arrested both of them.
On 17 September, the Baku Court of Appeal transferred Sadigov to house arrest.
Later, Zeynally was charged again under Article 312-1.1 (Unlawful influence on the decision of an official (trading in authority) of the Criminal Code.