Today, 5 May, in the Yasamal District Court, under the Chairmanship of Judge Sudabe Mammedova, a preliminary hearing was held on the special lawsuit of Azerbaijan International University (AIU) Director Elshad Abdullayev against "Tezadlar" Newspaper Chief Editor Asif Merzili and freelance journalist Zumrud Mammadova for defamation under articles 147 and 148 of the Criminal Code.
The defendants and their lawyers – Ramiz Mammadov, Media Rights Institute lawyer Elchin Sadigov and International Law Organization lawyer Bulud Hasanov participated in the hearing. Judge S. Mammedova did not accept the lawsuit for consideration because no one participated in the heaing on behalf of the plaintiff.
In the lawsuit, the plaintiff sought the closure of “Tezadlar” Newspaper, the arrest of both journalists and the institution of a 30,000 AZN fine against both journalists for moral damages. The lawsuit stems from the article entitled “Is Mahir Abdullayev in Baku?” published in the 19-26 August 2008 edition of the newspaper and a series of articles related to this topic.
On 7 April "Tezadlar" Newspaper Chief Editor Asif Merzili was imprisoned for one year on the basis of a lawsuit filed by AIU Director Elshad Abdullayev under articles 147.2 and 148 (libel and causing damage to honor and dignity) of the Criminal Code. Two days later, on 9 April, he was freed on an appeal considering in the Appellate Court.
In the lawsuit, the plaintiff sought the closure of “Tezadlar” Newspaper, the arrest of both journalists and the institution of a 30,000 AZN fine against both journalists for moral damages. The lawsuit stems from the article entitled “Is Mahir Abdullayev in Baku?” published in the 19-26 August 2008 edition of the newspaper and a series of articles related to this topic.
In the lawsuit, the plaintiff sought the closure of “Tezadlar” Newspaper, the arrest of both journalists and the institution of a 30,000 AZN fine against both journalists for moral damages. The lawsuit stems from the article entitled “Is Mahir Abdullayev in Baku?” published in the 19-26 August 2008 edition of the newspaper and a series of articles related to this topic.
On 7 April "Tezadlar" Newspaper Chief Editor Asif Merzili was imprisoned for one year on the basis of a lawsuit filed by AIU Director Elshad Abdullayev under articles 147.2 and 148 (libel and causing damage to honor and dignity) of the Criminal Code. Two days later, on 9 April, he was freed on an appeal considering in the Appellate Court.
In the lawsuit, the plaintiff sought the closure of “Tezadlar” Newspaper, the arrest of both journalists and the institution of a 30,000 AZN fine against both journalists for moral damages. The lawsuit stems from the article entitled “Is Mahir Abdullayev in Baku?” published in the 19-26 August 2008 edition of the newspaper and a series of articles related to this topic.
On 7 April "Tezadlar" Newspaper Chief Editor Asif Merzili was imprisoned for one year on the basis of a lawsuit filed by AIU Director Elshad Abdullayev under articles 147.2 and 148 (libel and causing damage to honor and dignity) of the Criminal Code. Two days later, on 9 April, he was freed on an appeal considering in the Appellate Court.