Journalist Tofig Yagublu, currently serving his pre-trial detention, is upset over the lack of progress in investigation of his case, his attorney Asabali Mustafayev told IRFS. Mustafayev who met with Yagublu in Baku detention center, says his defendant has no complaints about his health or prison conditions.
Background: Yeni Musavat newspaper journalist Tofig Yagublu was arrested on February 4th 2013, for allegedly attempting to undermine stability in Ismayilli region by calling on the locals to resist the police and block the roads, during his visit to the region on January 24. He was eventually sentenced to two months of pretrial detention by Nasimi District Court on charges of “organizing public disorder” (Article 233 of the Criminal Code) and “resisting the representative of authorities or using violence against them” (Article 315 of the Criminal Code). Yagublu’s appeal against the decision was denied by the Baku Appeals Court on February 8. On April 27th one of the previous two charges filed against Yagublu, “organizing public disorder” (Article 233/Criminal Code), was replaced by that of “organizing or participating in mass disorders accompanied by violence, looting, arson, destruction of property, application of fire-arms or explosives, or armed resistance against representative of authority” (Article 220.1/Criminal Code) which carries a maximum of 12 years imprisonment. Yagublu is currently held at Baku detention center awaiting trial.