Ilham Aliyev sent a Petition calling to release Avaz Zeynalli is sent to the President Ilham Aliyev
A large group of journalists, civil society activists and politicians have appealed to President Ilham Aliyev calling to release from prison the Editor of "Khural", Avaz Zeynalli. The petition was signed by 236 people. The signature campaign
was conducted by the Institute of Reporters Freedom and Safety (IRFS.)
According to the Director of the IRFS, Emin Huseynov, the trial in the case of Zeynalli showed complete inconsistency of the prosecution, and showed that the case was ordered; not a single defense motion was granted.
Moreover, it was not clear from the trial who was the former MP, Gular Akhmedova, on whose complaints the journalist was arrested - was she a witness or victim.
Later she herself became a defendant Akhmedov in the corruption scandal in the so-called case of "bargaining deputy mandates." In particular, she was charged and arrested for fraud and extortion at the Rector of the International University Elshad Abdullayev $ 1 million.
Akhmedov ignored court against Zeynalli, appearing only once, and did not answer questions from the accused and the defense.
The prosecutor suggested to sentence Zeynalli to 11 years in prison. In this connection, a petition calling for the immediate release of Zeynalli.
Is the president entitled to take any action in this situation, if the sentence of the court has not come into force yet? Answering this question, Huseynov said that videos published by Abdullayev have shown that courts pass rulings ordered by the executive power.
In this case, the Director of the Turan News Agency, Mehman Aliyev, reminded the precedent, when three years ago after the intervention of the president and after the court judgment, the Court of Appeal dismissed the journalist Asif Marzili.
Speaking about the political nature of the case of Zeynalli, he reminded that the editor of "Khural", was arrested a few days after his article in which he harshly criticized President Aliyev. Then lawsuit were filed against him on multiple charges.
Aliyev also expressed doubt that after the petition Zeynalli would be released. Nevertheless, media organizations must intensify the struggle for the liberation of Zeynalli. Activation of society, and the emergence of citizens determined to claim their rights give ground for optimism.
Afgan Mukhtarli, the Editor of the site xural.com, said that if the president orders the head of his administration, Ramiz Mehdiyev, not interfere in the affairs of the court, just decision to release Zeynalli will be passed. Verdict in the case of Zeynalli will be published at 10:00 on March 12 in the Baku Serious Cxrimes Court.—06C—
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