Journalist Tural Mustafayev, who filed the charges against Khadija Ismayilova that led to her arrest, wrote on his Facebook page that he had been summoned to the State Prosecutor’s Office in connection with the investigation. He said he had not complied with a previous summons, but that he was planning to comply with this one.
Mustafayev said he did not understand why he has been summoned. Stating that he has withdrawn his complaint, Mustafayev added: “... But I received a letter from the investigative agency that the investigation has been completed, and you should come. Baku City Prosecutor’s Office still recognized me as a victim. Therefore, after the case was referred to the Serious Crimes, a problem has arisen on this matter, because of the fact that Baku City Prosecutor’s Office recognizes me as a victim. I cannot understand why they summon me… I have not consulted a lawyer. Indeed, I have withdrawn my complaint. I do not know whether in this case the law still allows for me to be retained as a victim. But I am not a complainant against Ms. Khadija. I had complained under pressure. In my letter of withdrawal of the complaint, I wrote the truth. But if I am summoned to trial, I will go and tell the truth there. I will say in court that I was forced by two employees of Baku City Prosecutor’s Office, the first deputy prosecutor of Baku and MNS [Ministry of National Security] to complain. They blackmailed and put pressure on me. The fact that I was kidnapped from my house in Goychay on December 27 2014 is evidence. I was held in different places until February 2015”.
The investigation into Ismayilova’s case has been completed, and the preparatory hearing has been set for 24 July.
Background: Khadija Ismayilova was arrested on 5 December 2014. She was initially charged with inciting a person to attempt suicide. In February 2015, new charges of misappropriation, tax evasion, abuse of office and illegal entrepreneurship were brought against her.