Hilal Mamedov Declined the Court

Today Baku Court of Grave Crimes continued the trial of the editor of the newspaper Tolyshi Sado Hilal Mamedov. At the public hearing he was charged under Article 234.4.3 (illegal possession and sale of drugs on a large scale).

Mammadov said that the accusation is far-fetched and the drugs were thrown by a police colonel. "My moral, social and religious activities do not allow me to have drugs," said Mamedov. He said that the authorities use drugs against youth and religious activists.

"Blaming the drug was linked to the other charges," said Mamedov.

According to the investigation, from 1992 on the instructions of the Iranian secret services he was engaged in drug trafficking and these funds supported the "Talysh separatism."

"All this is absurd," Mamedov said.

At the time of his speech the judge repeatedly interrupted Mamedov and demanded speaking "on the merits". At that Mamedov and the lawyers protested, demanding freedom to provide testimony.

Angered by the actions of the judge, Mamedov declined the court. In this regard, the trial was adjourned until next Wednesday.

* Mamedov was arrested on 21 June 2012 and charged with illegal possession of narcotics, treason and inciting ethnic hatred. However, local and international organizations believe that Mamedov is persecuted for political reasons. -16C06-