Imprisoned “Azadlig” Newspaper satiric/journalist Sakit Zahidov’s name was included in the amnesty act adopted by Milli Mejlis on March 17, 2009. However, the journalist has not been released yet.
To clear up this matter, the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety contacted the Justice Ministry Penitentiary Services Public Department Head Mehman Sadigov. About two thousand prisoners have been included in the amnesty act and there are some delays related to releasing them since their personal cases are being studied, Sadigov said.
Sadigov added that Zahidov’s decision to refuse amnesty does not have any significance. “Everyone included in the amnesty act adopted by Milli Mejlis will be freed.”
Sadigov added that Zahidov’s decision to refuse amnesty does not have any significance. “Everyone included in the amnesty act adopted by Milli Mejlis will be freed.”
Sakit Zahidov was arrested on 23 June 2006 for possession of narcotics (this charge is widely understood to be spurious) and was sentenced to three years of imprisonment by the Grave Crimes Court.