On 1 April, in the Baku Appellate Court, under the chairmanship of Judge Sahibkhan Mirzayev, a hearing was held on the appeal of Murshud Eyyubov (Chairman of Binagadi District, 1st District Mosque Religious community) against the decision adopted by the Yasamal District Court on his lawsuit against “Gundalik Baki” Newspaper Chief Editor Habil Valiyev. Judge Sahibkhan Mirzayev upheld the decision of the Yasamal District Court.

The defendant did not participate in the hearing. A “Gundalik Baki” Newspaper employee told the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety that they did not receive any invitation letter, but received a letter yesterday (8 April) from the Baku Appellate Court stating that the decision issued by the Yasamal District Court is substantiated.  Baku Appellate Court Judge Sahibkhan Mirzayev told IRFS that an invitation letter had been sent to “Gundalik Baki” Newspaper, but they did not take part in the hearing.
During a hearing chaired by Judge Elchin Gurbanov in the Yasamal District Court a decision was issued not to consider the lawsuit of Murshud Eyyubov because the information about the defendant in the appeal was incomplete and the lawsuit, which was filed in special form, was not filed by a relevant organ.
The lawsuit of Murshud Eyyubov stems from an article about the Head of Caucasus Muslims Department in the newspaper on 14 January 2009 (edition 7 (317). In his lawsuit Eyyubov demanded that a guilty verdict be issued under articles 147, 148 and 283.2.2 of the Criminal Code against “Gundalik Baki” Newspaper Chief Editor Habil Valiyev, Valiyev receive harsh punishment and be arrested in the court hall.