Nizami District Court’s 1-year corrective labor sentence against journalist and NGO activist Elchin Hasanov passed on June 01, 2016 has been appealed by the prosecutor, who asks the court to toughen the punishment, Elchin Hasanov told the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety (IRFS).
Elchin Hasanov was initially charged under Article 221-3 (hooliganism committed by using a cold weapon) of the Criminal Code. On June 1, 2016, Nizami District Court reclassified his charge from Article 221.3 to Article 221.1 (hooliganism) of the Criminal Code and sentenced him to 1-year corrective labor and deduction of 20 percent of his monthly salary.
In his appeal, the prosecutor requested a 3.5-year jail sentence for the journalist.
Elchin Hasanov said the charge against him totally lacked legal basis and as the defendant he would seek full acquittal.