Yesterday, on October 30th a hearing was held on the case of religious blogger Rashad Ramazanov, under chairmanship of Judge Alisultan Osmanov in the Baku Court on Grave Crimes.
Considering Ramazanov guilty on charges brought against him, the public prosecutor requested the judge to pass a 9-year jail sentence on the blogger.
Taking into account the lack of enough evidence to prove Rashad’s offence and falsity of the charges, the blogger’s lawyer said this would be a very tough and disproportionate punishment.
The blogger’s attorney also said he will make a speech in the next hearing and demand acquittal of his client.
Notice that the next hearing will be held on November 13, at 16:30.
Background: Blogger Rashad Ramazanov (Rashad Hagigat Agaaddin) was detained on May 9, near the “January 20” metro station and taken to the Department for Combating Organized Crime. The police reportedly found 9 grams of heroin on the blogger. Ramazanov rejects the charges. Once convicted, the blogger can face confiscation of property and imprisonment for 12 years. On May 20th the blogger was transferred to Baku Investigative Prison. On August 7th his case was referred to the Baku Court on Grave Crimes.
The blogger used his Facebook page to criticize ruling regime on the issues related to freedom and justice (http://on.fb.me/12G0WJE).