Afghan Mukhtarly Informed Lawyer about Restriction of His Rights

Baku / 08.28.19 / Turan: The lawyer Neymat Karimli met with the journalist Afghan Mukhtarly in Prison No. 16 on August 27.

At the end of last week, the journalist was not allowed to call a lawyer. Having learned about this from Mukhtarly's wife, on August 25 the lawyer went to the prison to meet with the journalist, but he was refused this. Finally, the defender was able to see Mukhtarly.

The journalist complained to him about the restriction of his rights to meetings and telephone conversations. Mukhtarly can call only his mother and wife. And only his mother and brothers can visit him. With other relatives, colleagues and friends, Mukhtarly cannot talk on the phone or meet.

The lawyer called these restrictions unlawful. At the same time, according to the lawyer, after the journalist's wife Leyla Mustafayeva publicized the fact that Mukhtarly was not transferred the money sent by his friend, these funds were given to him in the prison.

In turn, the head of the public relations department of the Prison Service, Mehman Sadigov, denied information about the violation of Mukhtarly"s rights. According to him, the rights of convicts, including Mukhtarly, are not limited.

"All convicted persons, whether the person you mentioned or someone else, are provided in the manner prescribed by law with opportunities for telephone calls and meetings. As for communication with lawyers, there are no problems at all and such problems cannot exist.

The law gives the convicted person the right to meet with close relatives and other persons. However, according to the rules, meetings with other persons are carried out with the permission of the management of the institution. If meetings with visitors have a positive impact on the correction of the convict, his behavior and mood, then of course they are allowed," said Sadigov.

The investigative journalist Afghan Mukhtarly was abducted in Tbilisi in May 2017 and secretly transferred to Azerbaijan, where he was accused of smuggling, illegal border crossing, and violence against a border guard, and sentenced to 6 years in prison.

Mukhtarly"s arrest was condemned by the European Parliament and international human rights organizations. Amnesty International recognized him as a "prisoner of conscience." - 06B--