On the 20th of August, in the Sabail District Court, under the chairmanship of Judge Kemale Amirkhanova, a hearing was held on the criminal case under article 221 (hooliganism) of the Criminal Code against Aziz Ahmedov who physically injured journalist Zulfigar Kheyirkhabar.
Zulfigar Kheyirkhabar’s representative Fariz Namazli, Aziz Ahmadov and state plaintiff Yusif Samandarov took part in the hearing.
Yusif Samandarov asked the court to sentence Aziz Ahmadov to six months in prison.
Lawyer Fariz Namazli said that a representative from the Ministry of Emergency situations was at the scene of the incident and there are witness accounts proving this. He then added that the evidence on the case has not been researched carefully.
Defendant Aziz Ahmadov delivered final speech. The judge scheduled the last hearing to announce the decision for 23 August at noon.
BACKGROUND
On 18 February, 2010, Zulfigar Kheyirkhabar, who worked as a correspondent in “Salam News” agency, was subjected to physical harassment when he tried to acquire information regarding the explosion that happened at the “Karvan” tea house. Zaur Gafarov who presented himself as the owner of the café insulted Z.Kheyirkhabar and hindered his work as a journalist. Then, a Ministry of Emergency Cases employee pushed Z.Kheyirkhabar and tried to carry him from the area. After this, Aziz Ahmedov beat him.