The appeal of imprisoned “Azadlig” Newspaper satiric/journalist Sakit Zahidov, who is being held in Prison #10, has not been delivered to its destination. Zahidov’s lawyer Isakhan Ashurov told this to the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety. “Although Sakit Zahidov’s name was included in the amnesty act on March 7, his right to be freed has not been recognized yet,” said Ashurov. “Therefore Sakit wrote an appeal to court and gave it to prison leadership, but his complaint has not been accepted.”
I. Ashurov will file an additional appeal in the third Narimanov District Court against illegal action of the chief of prison. According to legislation, prisoners should submit their appeals to prison leadership and the leadership should submit them to court, added Ashurov.
The chief of Prison #10 is avoiding lawyer’s questions and phone calls, said Ashurov.
IRFS attempted to contact the leadership of prison #10, but no one answered phone calls.
The chief of Prison #10 is avoiding lawyer’s questions and phone calls, said Ashurov.
IRFS attempted to contact the leadership of prison #10, but no one answered phone calls.
Sakit Zahidov was arrested on 23 June 2006 for possession of narcotics (this charge is widely understood to be spurious) and was sentenced to three year imprisonment by the Grave Crimes Court. He was included in the amnesty act adopted on 17 March 2009.