Today, 20 February, "Yeni Musavat" and “Azadlig” newspapers’ columnist, former Editor-in-Chief of “Khalg” Newspaper Mahal Ismayiloglu was called to the Absheron District Police Department.
The Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety was told this by Ismayiloglu's defense lawyer Elchin Sadigov. Sadigov said that Ismayiloglu was called to police department because the investigation of the criminal case against the journalist has been concluded.
M.Ismayiloglu spoke during press conference and said that while he was at hospital, doctors treating him had received a written statement from his wife and son that they are not responsible for the journalist’s health. However, family members have not been aware of the content of the document when they signed it.
M. Ismayiloglu emphasized that all these incidents have been directed to his journalistic professional activity and the pressure against him stems from critical articles he wrote about government. “I am saying again that I am not guilty and accusations against me are no more than fabrication,” said Ismayiloglu.
On 14 February, "Yeni Musavat" columnist Mahal Ismayiloglu was called to the Absheron District Police Department in connection with a case instituted against him eight months and a pre-trial order was issued forbidding him from leaving the country. After M.Ismayiloglu became familiar with the investigation materials, the journalist fell down. An ambulance was called and Ismayiloglu was placed in the Central Medical Clinic. In the hospital, it was determined that the journalist suffered a heart attack.
M. Ismayiloglu is accused of causing moral and physical damage to Nasiba Safarova who is a servant at the house of the journalist’s neighbor Vahid Imanov, who works in the Ministry of Interior. An investigation is being carried out on a criminal case on Article 221.3 of the Criminal Code (hooliganism with use of a weapon or weapon-like item).