Avaz Zeynalli: I was arrested by order of Ramiz Mehdiyev

On Wednesday trial  in the case of the arrested editor of "Khural" Avaz Zeynalli continued in the Baku Court of Serious Crimes. Earlier Zeynalli refused to testify until the main witness against him, former MP Guler Ahmedova, comes to court. Today Zeynalov today regarded  the actions of Ahmedova as a challenge  to the state, accusing the prosecutor and judge of the inability to ensure the attendance of the witness.

In his testimony on November 20-21 Zeynalli indicated that his arrest and the closure of the newspaper "Khural" is a result of deliberate  policy  of the government to eliminate the independent press.

According Zeynalli, first authorities tried to negotiate with him, but when that failed,  they began to organize provocations and overt pressure. He believes that  behind his arrest  is Ramiz Mehdiyev, the head of the Presidential Administration.

As for the charges of receiving bribes, in August 2001 Gular Ahmedova asked him for a meeting, and offered for not publishing  material against her.

Zeynalli said he  did not take any money from  Ahmedova. Moreover, in his newspaper and other media interviews, he reported that Ahmedova came to him and offered him a bribe.

Tomorrow the process will  continue.—06D-