Hilal Mamedov is sentenced to five years in prison (UPDATED)

 The court  trial on Friday at the trial in the case of  the editor of the newspaper "Tolyshi Sado", Hilal Mamedov,  sentenced him to five years in prison. The court found him guilty on all charges. He must serve his sentence in a penal colony.

When the judge read the verdict, the audience began chanting curse to the court.

Hilal Mamedov, addressing the audience, said that only the Almighty can  convict him. In addition, he specifically appealed to reporters, and said he did not intend to ask for a pardon.

Lawyers of Mammadov called the verdict unjust, unreasonable and are preparing to file an appeal.

* Mamedov was arrested on June 21, 2012. He is accused of treason, inciting ethnic hatred, and drug trafficking. The state prosecutor asked the court to sentence Hilal Mammadov to six years of imprisonment. 

Today's court session was observed by representatives of the EU, the OSCE and the embassies of USA, Germany, France, Norway, and others. —06D-

2013 September 27 (Friday) 14:20:37

At the trial of the editor of the newspaper Tolyshi Sado Hilal Mamedov, the accused today delivered his closing remarks, urging the court to make a fair verdict of acquittal.

Mamedov expressed his gratitude to all those who supported him from the moment of his arrest more than a year ago and experienced problems because of it .

Mamedov expressed his special thanks to his lawyers. Referring to the charges, Mamedov called the criminal case against him "shameful stain not only on the law-enforcement system of Azerbaijan, but also on the image of the country."

"It is recognized in formal and informal conversations by many representatives of the Prosecutor's Office, Ministry of National Security, Ministry of Justice, and Prison System. But they could do nothing," said Mamedov.

He noted that the court has now two ways: the first is to make a fair verdict of acquittal and the second – to impose an unjust verdict.

"Even in this case, I will not lose courage and I will call for the same all those who have supported me," said Mamedov.

He noted that he was in prison because of his struggle to build a democratic state and intends to continue down this path.

The judge appointed the sentencing for 16:00 – 16:30.

Mamedov was arrested on June 21, 2012 and he is accused of treason, inciting ethnic hatred and drug trafficking. The prosecutor asked the court to sentence him to six years in prison.

Note that today's court session was observed by representatives of the EU , the OSCE and the embassies of the U.S., Germany, France, Norway, and others. -06D-