IRFS: Arrests of Journalists in Country Preparing for Presidency of the Council of Europe
The Institute for Reporters Freedom and Safety (IRFS) issued a statement condemning the verdict of imprisonment for a term of 5 years of the editor of Tolyshi Sado Hilal Mamedov.
IRFS believes the verdict is politically motivated and shows restrictions on freedom of expression in Azerbaijan.
Mamedov was sentenced on charges of drug trafficking, treason and inciting ethnic hatred. However, local and foreign human rights activists believe that Mamedov was arrested for defending the rights of journalists and ethnic minorities.
The judicial investigation of the journalist's case was accompanied by numerous gross violations of the procedure and no evidence was submitted against Mamedov.
The way the trial was conducted and the verdict do not befit a country that in the next year (May 2014) will take over the Presidency of the Council of Europe, the statement said. -06D-
Politics
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