Today (25 July) a preliminary hearing on the lawsuit of Gabil Mammadov against “Gundalik Baku”, the newspaper’s editor-in-chief Habil Valiyev, and the newspaper’s employees Kamran Maharramli and Ulvin Mahammadoglu, and Urshad Ahmadov who submitted complaint letter to the newspaper, took place in the Yasamal District Court under the chairmanship of Judge Abbas Rzayev.
“Gundalik Baku” Newspaper Editor-in-Chief Habil Valiyev said that the article “Fish Fall from Gabil’s Hands,” which sparked Mammadov’s lawsuit, was written on the basis of a letter submitted to the editorial office by a reader.
“According to law on Mass Media and legislation of Azerbaijan Republic, the newspaper is not responsible in this case and we are ready to publish the position of the opposite side,” said Valiyev. He made a motion not to recognize the newspaper and its employees as defendants.
The judge didn’t fulfill this motion and said that both the newspaper representatives and author of the article have to participate in the hearing as defendants.
The next hearing on this case is scheduled to take place on 12 August at 10:30 a.m.
Assistant chief from the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources’ Department for Increasing and Protecting Biological Resources in Water Basins Department Gabil Mammadov claims that his honor and dignity were degraded in the article Fish Fall from Gabil’s Hands,” and is therefore seeking the institution of a150, 000 AZN fine against the newspaper and the author of the article.
According to “Gundalik Baku” Newspaper Chief Editor Adil Huseynli, the article it is written about law violations happening in Naftalan. The article was based on a letter sent to the newspaper by a reader.