The protest in defense of Hilal Mamedov

A group of civil society activists today held another protest rally in defense of the rights of the arrested editor of Tolyshi Sado (Voice of the Talysh) Hilal Mammadov.

The action with more than 30 people passed in front of the Baku Court of Grave Crimes, where there was the next hearing in the case of Mammadov.

The action participants were members of the Committee for Mammadov’s rights, heads of a number of NGOs and the media. They stood outside the court, attaching to their clothes Mammadov’s photo and the appeal

"Freedom for Hilal Mammadov». At the same time, the action was silent in nature and did not make public any slogans.

The Co-Chair of the Committee Rafiq Jalilov told reporters that the event was held to demand the release of Mammadov. "We are also concerned about the deterioration of his health," said Jalilov.

Police initially did not intervene in the action, but after 15-20 minutes the police asked the participants to disperse.

On behalf of Mammadov women involved in the action and illuminating it were presented flowers on the occasion of March 8.

As for the trial, it continued in private.

This is the third action in defense of the rights of Mammadov in the past 20 days.

Recall that Mammadov is charged with three articles, including treason, illegal possession of drugs and inciting ethnic hatred. However, the international community and local human rights activists consider him a prisoner of conscience. Using fabricated treason charges, the authorities held a closed trial.-16B-