Protection demands to justify Avaz Zeynalli

Today  at the trial in the case of Avaz Zeynalli, chief editor of "Khural" newspaper, the  Baku Serious Crimes Court gave final word to  the lawyers and the defendant.

Earlier, the prosecutor asked the court to sentence Zeynalli to 11 years in prison.

In the beginning of the trial Zeynalli again asked to hold a  repeated inquiry and ensure appearance in court the main witness against him - former MP, Gular Akhmedova. He said he saw  her two days ago in jail, and she was perfectly healthy.

However, the judge Ramella Allahverdiyeva announced that the judicial inquiry has already been completed, gave the floor to  the lawyer Elchin Sadigov.

The lawyer said that the investigation did not prove  Zeynalli’s on any of the four Articles under which he was charged  - 311.3.3 (large-scale bribery), 311.4 (extortion by threats), 306 (not  execution the sentence, decision or other act of the court) and 213.1 (evasion of taxes and compulsory social security payments to a significant extent.)

In particular, she pointed to the invalidity of  the tax debt in 7000. AZN,  as the taxpayer  was Zeynalli himself.

The debt of the  newspaper was only 1196 manat 53 kopecks, and if its  issue is suspended Zeynalli would repay the amount.

As for the non-execution of court decisions  on  the lawsuits against the newspaper, the newspaper paid 670 manats  to the Director of the Publishing  House "Azerbaijan". In connection with the confiscation of the newspaper’s property,  Zeynalli could not pay the debt. 

As for extortion and bribery, no evidence against Zeynalli was provided. Audio- records by  Akhmedova did not prove that  Zeynalli  got money.

Another lawyer, director of the Media Rights Institute, Rashid Hajili, described the case against Zeynalli as another attack on the freedom of press and expression.

The third lawyer Mansum Bayramov also said that there is no corpus delicti in the actions of Zeynalli. All three lawyers spoke of the need  of acquittal. Attorney Ramazan Hadiyev said that the lawyers failed  to present "arguments to refute the evidence of the investigation".

Zeynalli, in his  turn, said that the court did not have the power  to bring Akhmedova to trial. He expressed full falsification of the case,  and said that the order for his arrest came from the head of the Presidential Administration, Ramiz Mehdiyev and Head of Department  of the Administration,  Ali Hasanov.

Zeynalli claimed a violation of his rights by the investigation, and said that he faced Mafia. At the same time, he indicated that he had been kidnapped. On return they did not give him the seized  $300 and  his cell phone.

Of the 13 witnesses of the prosecution, no one could  give testimony on the facts of bribery. "As it turns out,  you  convict me on the videos submitted by Akhmedova, though there is not any ," said Zeynalli.

"This is a  case fabricated  by  atheists,"  said Zeynalli and his words were met with applause.

The judge postponed the sentencing for  uncertain period.—16/06D--