Azadlig newspaper correspondent fined

Lankaran City Court has fined Azadlig newspaper correspondent Ramin Deko (Jabrayilov) to 3000AZN following a defamation lawsuit, his lawyer Fariz Namazli reported to the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety (IRFS) today.

According to Namazli, Lankaran City Court under judge Fuad Soltanov issued this ruling following the appeal by MP Novruz Aslanov on May 17th: “We sent a telegram to the court, noting that we would not be able to attend. We asked the court to send us the results of the expert examination. But the court did not respond to our request to postpone the trial. The judge partially granted the lawsuit and fined the journalist.

 

The court decision stated that Ramin Deko must apologize to Novruzali Aslanov and provide a retraction of his article. It followed; “Ramin Deko shall be fined 3000 manats, which amount shall be given to Umid charity society based in Bina settlement of Khatai district. In addition, Novruzali Aslanov will give 200 manats in compensation and Ramin Jabrayilzade will pay 89 manats in compensation for the expert examination charges.” Deko’s lawyer said that they would appeal against the decision.

 

MP Novruzali Aslanov appealed to Lankaran City Court, accusing Azadlig newspaper correspondent Ramin Deko (Jabrayilov) of defaming his personal dignity and reputation, claiming that his business and political reputation was damaged in the article titled Fizuli Alakbarov buys Ivanovka houses for 80 000 manats printed in the October 26th 2011 issue of Azadlig newspaper #249(4700). He demanded the journalist to make an official apology. He also asked the court to charge the journalist under Article 147 (libel), to fine him 10 000 manats as compensation for psychological damage, and to give that amount to an orphanage in Baku.