Trial of Hilal Mammadov will be Partially Open

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-