Court hearing in the case of Aziz Orudjev

The trial of Aziz Orudjev, the head of the online publication Kanal-13, continued on February 5 at the Sabail District Court.

A representative from the State Registry and Real Estate Cadastre Service was heard during the session, Orudjev’s lawyer, Bahruz Bayramov told Turan. According to Bayramov, the official was unable to clearly explain what specific harm Orudjev's actions had caused to the state.

The official only stated that the land in question belonged to the state. "However, around the location where Orudjev built his house, many residential buildings have already been constructed. Were any complaints filed regarding damage to the state?" Bayramov asked, adding that the official was unable to answer this question. Two of Orudjev's neighbors were also questioned as witnesses.

"They stated that they had no complaints about Orudjev's construction of the house," Bayramov said. The next hearing is scheduled for February 26.

*Aziz Orudjev was arrested on November 27, 2023, on charges of unauthorized construction. Later, he was also charged with smuggling. However, following preliminary investigations, the smuggling charges were dropped.

The case has been transferred to court under Article 188.2 (Unauthorized construction without ownership rights) of the Criminal Code, which carries a potential sentence of one to three years of restriction or imprisonment. Orudjev denies the charges. Human rights organizations have recognized him as a political prisoner.