Today (January 17th), at 16:00, Nasimi District Court, under the chairmanship of judge Shalala Hasanova, held a court proceeding on the motion filed by the Office of the Struggle Against Corruption under the General Prosecutor’s Office.
The motion requested to extend Avaz Zeynalli’s pre-trial detention for one month. Zeynalli’s lawyer, Elchin Sadigov, filed a motion requesting that Zeynalli’s arrest be replaced with house arrest. The judge decided to extended the pre-trial detention for 3 months and scheduled the next hearing for January 18th at 14:30.
On October 28, the editor-in-chief of Khural newspaper was sentenced to 3 months of pre-trial detention by Nasimi District Court. A criminal case was launched against him under Article 311.3.3 (receiving a large bribe) and 311.3.4 (receiving a bribe through the use threats) of the Criminal Code. The launch of criminal case stems from a complaint by ruling YAP MP Gular Ahmedova. Ahmedova has declared that the editor extorted money from her. However, international and local human rights organizations consider this charge to be politically motivated due to Zeynalli’s criticism of the ruling establishment. On December 1st, 2011, Nasimi District Court decided not to grant the a motion requesting to replace Zeynalli’s arrest with house arrest or outright release on bail.
On October 28, the editor-in-chief of Khural newspaper was sentenced to 3 months of pre-trial detention by Nasimi District Court. A criminal case was launched against him under Article 311.3.3 (receiving a large bribe) and 311.3.4 (receiving a bribe through the use threats) of the Criminal Code. The launch of criminal case stems from a complaint by ruling YAP MP Gular Ahmedova. Ahmedova has declared that the editor extorted money from her. However, international and local human rights organizations consider this charge to be politically motivated due to Zeynalli’s criticism of the ruling establishment. On December 1st, 2011, Nasimi District Court decided not to grant the a motion requesting to replace Zeynalli’s arrest with house arrest or outright release on bail.