Preparatory hearing in the case of Hilal Mammadov, editor of the newspaper "Tolyshi sado" began on January 10 in the Baku Serious Crimes Court.
On behalf of civil society activists and human rights defenders, lawyer Jawad Javadov filed a motion to release H. Mammadova on bail. The appeal was signed by Arzu Abdullayeva, Intigam Aliyev, Alovsat Aliyev, Rashid Hajili, Vidadi Isgandarov, Asabali Mustafayev, Annagi Hajibeyli, etc. However, public prosecutor Tural Yusifov opposed this and other motions of defense.
The judge dismissed the majority of petitions, including the petition to release of H. Mammadov from custody, returning the case for further investigation, conduct video and audio records. However, some petitions may be considered at the hearing, the judge said.
Then the prosecutor asked to make the trial partially closed due to the presence of "state secrets."
The lawyer asked the prosecutor to explain the nature of "state secrets", and expressed the view that the prosecutor intentionally sought to prevent an open trial.
The defendant said that he agreed with the lawyers, and noted that a closed process is to hide fraud and perjury from the public. H.Mammadov said that if the process were closed, he would refuse to participate.
Judge Orujov announced a break, and then declared that the trial regarding Articles 274 (high treason), 283.2.2 (inciting national and religious hatred) will be closed, while the trial under Article 234.4.3 (illegal possession and distribution of drugs) will be open. Court hearing is scheduled for the morning of January 23.
Lawyer R.Mammadov told Turan, that the protection would assess the court’s ruling after consultation with the accused.
* H.Mammadov was arrested on 21 June 2012. If found guilty, he could be sentenced to 15 years in prison. International human rights and media organizations recognized Mammadov to be a prisoner of conscience, and have repeatedly called for his immediate release. -16/06В-
Politics
-
A new draft agreement on financing climate programs, unveiled at the 29th session of the UN Conference on Climate Change (COP29), proposes allocating at least $1.3 trillion (€1.23 trillion) annually for climate protection measures and adaptation to the impact of climate change, according to a 34-page document released on Wednesday. The draft, developed with input from developing nations, aims to address the needs of the world's poorest countries, though several contentious issues remain unresolved, AFP reported.
-
On November 13, representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Afghan Taliban held talks in Baku as part of the COP29 conference. According to a report by Turan correspondent, the discussions took place behind closed doors and lasted for over an hour. No statements were made to the press following the meeting. Furthermore, conference security prevented journalists from asking questions to the meeting participants.
-
Kichikhanim Khalilova, the wife of arrested public activist and first-group disabled person, Famil Khalilov, reported being followed during her time at the COP29 conference on November 13. She had been accredited in the "Green Zone" as a civil rights activist. From the moment she entered the conference area, a young man began to follow her.
-
The imprisoned journalists of Abzas Media have had their phone calls with relatives reduced from 15 minutes to just 2 minutes. This restriction is reportedly linked to the ongoing international climate conference COP29 in Baku.
Leave a review