Appeal against Sentence on Fikret Faramazoglu Dismissed

Baku / 18.09.17 / Turan: The Baku Appeals Court (BAC) upheld the verdict on the head of the website www.jam.az Fikret Faramazoglu (Ibishbeyli) on September 18.

The journalist was arrested in July 2016. He was charged under Article 182 of the Criminal Code (extortion of money by threats). On June 14 of this year, the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced Faramazoglu to 7 years imprisonment. According to the investigation, Faramazoglu allegedly extorted money from restaurants and various catering facilities and massage parlors. In fact, according to the journalist himself, these objects were nothing but dens.

The verdict was appealed and on September 18, the judiciary of BAC presided over by Namik Mammadov dismissed the appeal.

At the meeting Faramazoglu again stated that the money totaling 3 thousand manat was put by the police officers themselves. He drew attention to the fact that in the case there is neither an operational survey, nor an audio record that would confirm the transfer of money.

The lawyer Zibeyda Sadigova believes the court of first instance did not conduct an objective investigation and did not satisfy any of the motions aimed at proving the journalist's innocence. She also pointed out the illegality of the search in Faramazoglu's apartment. During the search, neither he, nor his lawyer, nor witnesses participated. Even DVDs with animated cartoons belonging to Faramazoglu's children were seized from the apartment.

However, BAC ignored the arguments of the defense.

The defense will file a cassation appeal to the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan, the lawyer said. -06D--