Witnesses avoid testifying in Avaz Zeynalli’s trial

October 16th, 2012
On October 16th the Baku Court of Grave Crimes held a hearing on the case of the Khural newspaper chief editor, Avaz Zeynalli, under judge Ramella Allahverdiyeva. The witnesses, who had to testify, did not attend the hearing. The judge said that only witness Aydin Heydarov had informed the court that he'd not be able to come due to health problems.

Allahverdiyeva added the witnesse,who did not attend, would be re-summoned.

Avaz Zeynalli requested the court to acquit him and drop the charges brought against him by Guler Ahmedova, who was recently held accountable for bribery. Zeynalli filed petitions requesting the court to remove the contradicting witness testimonies from the case, and demand the investigator to provide explanation for the contradiction. Another motion

was for being provided with copies of witness statements. Zeynalli also asked the judge to remove those, who provide incomplete testimonies or avoide testifying, from the list of witnesses.

The judge only granted the motion for obtaining copies of witness statements.

The next hearing is scheduled for October 18th, 10:00am.

Zeynalli is charged under Article 311.3.3(taking large bribe) and 311.3.4 (extortion).