Today, 8 October, in the Baku Appellate Court, under the chairmanship of Judge Jamal Ramazanov, a hearing was held on the appeal of both parties against the decision of the Nizami District Court adopted on the lawsuit of “Azadlig Harakatchilari” Union Chairman Tahmasib Novruzov against “Nota” Newspaper Editor-in-chief Substitute Sardar Alibeyli (Aliyev) under article 148 (insult) of the Criminal Code, newspaper’s employees Ramiz Tagiyev and Faramaz Novruzoglu (Allahverdiyev) under article 147.2 (accusing someone of grave or especially grave crimes) of the Criminal Code in the special format.
Then Tahmasib Novruzov said that the decision issued by the Nizami District Court is very light and he asked for more serious punishment.
In his final speech, Sardar Alibeyli said that all these were implemented under theorder of the president of Azerbaijan Republic. “Dear Judge, I recognize you as an objective judge, but I know that the restoration of justice will not depend on you today.”
Faramaz Novruzoglu and Ramiz Tagiyev said that they have not written any insulting articles about Tahmasib Novruzov. The articles conform to reality. They asked to be justified.
The Judge issued a decision to uphold the decision adopted by the Nizami District Court. Sardar Alibeyli and Faramaz Novruzoglu were sentenced to 3 months imprisonment, and Ramiz Tagiyev is sentenced to 6 months corrective labor. Then they were handcuffed and taken out of the court hall.
On 31 March Khatai Court Judge Togrul Aliyev issued a decision on the lawsuit of Tahmasib Novruzov in connection with articles “Whose orders is Tahmasib Novruzov fulfilling” (1-7 February, 2009, edition 04 (018), “Anti-Terror Center threatens our employees” (8-14 February, edition 05 (019), “Who is NSM’s person in APA”, “Bahlul Muradova raises one more criminal case” (22-28 February, 2009, edition 07 (021), “Let your mother die, hey Ramazan” (01-07 March, edition 08 (022), and “Who are forces that want the name of Sevil Nuriyeva to be mentioned in our newspaper” (08-14 March, 2009, edition 09 (023) published in “Nota” Newspaper. According to the verdict, “Nota” newspaper had to publish a refutation and the journalists should apologize. T.Novruzov filed a special lawsuit again under articles 147.2 and 148 of the Criminal Code due to the article “Apology article for Tahmasib Novruzov whose honor is stepped on and whose dignity is degraded,” which was published in the April 05-11 2009 edition of the newspaper. In June the case was sent to the Nizami District Court to be considered. On 22 July – National Press Day – Nizami District Court issued a verdict to sentence “Nota” Newspaper Editor-in-Chief Substitute Sardar Alibeyli (Aliyev) and “Nota” Newspaper employee Faramaz Novruzoglu (Allahverdiyev) to three months imprisonment. Another correspondent of the newspaper Ramiz Tagiyev has been sentenced to six months conditional imprisonment. The execution of the verdict was held until after the Appellate Court adopted a decision.