Imprisoned journalist Eynulla Fatullayev started a hunger-strike on the morning of October 19, stated the journalist’s lawyer Elchin Sadigov. Sadigov noted that Eynulla Fatullayev has sent an open letter to Justice Minister Fikret Mammadov, Supreme Court Head Ramiz Rzayev, as well as to international right defense organizations and diplomatic representatives operating in Baku.
The letter says that European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) issued a decision on 22 April, 2010, on the lawsuit filed by Fatullayev against the Azerbaijani government. ECHR revealed that the rights of journalists set in European Convention of Human Rights Article 6.1 and 6.2, Article 10, were violated. The Court also revealed an open interference of government in freedom of expression. Therefore, EHCR demands immediate release of the journalist.
The letter goes on to say that the Azerbaijani government filed an appeal against this decision in the Grand Chamber. However, a special committee of Grand Chamber rejected the appeal on 4 October, 2010. “According to Article 44 of the Convention, the judgment issued by European Court of Human Rights is final. According to article 46 of the Convention, I should be released early and unconditionally because execution of the decision is obligatory” said Fatullayev.
The jailed journalist reported that the letter included various law violations on his narcotic case. “I wasn’t sentenced to imprisonment and the Garadag District Court’s 6 July, 2010 decision hasn’t taken legal force yet. By not recognizing the legal results of the Court of Grave Crimes decision dated 3 October, 2007 in his verdict, and partially fulfilling European Court decision, Garadag District Court Judge Ismayil Khalilov formed necessary legal conditions for my immediate release,” Fatullayev said.
In the end of his letter, the journalist demanded immediate release and declared a hunger strike.
The letter goes on to say that the Azerbaijani government filed an appeal against this decision in the Grand Chamber. However, a special committee of Grand Chamber rejected the appeal on 4 October, 2010. “According to Article 44 of the Convention, the judgment issued by European Court of Human Rights is final. According to article 46 of the Convention, I should be released early and unconditionally because execution of the decision is obligatory” said Fatullayev.
The jailed journalist reported that the letter included various law violations on his narcotic case. “I wasn’t sentenced to imprisonment and the Garadag District Court’s 6 July, 2010 decision hasn’t taken legal force yet. By not recognizing the legal results of the Court of Grave Crimes decision dated 3 October, 2007 in his verdict, and partially fulfilling European Court decision, Garadag District Court Judge Ismayil Khalilov formed necessary legal conditions for my immediate release,” Fatullayev said.
In the end of his letter, the journalist demanded immediate release and declared a hunger strike.