At the trial in the case of Polad Aslanov, witnesses declared distortion of their testimony

Baku / 21.08.20 / Turan: On August 20, the trial of the head of the xeberman.com website, Polad Aslanov, continued at the Baku Serious Crimes Court chaired by Faig Ganiev.

As after the meeting of his wife Gulmira Aslanov, the testimony of two witnesses was heard at the trial. Journalist Kenana Rovshanoglu said that in February 2018, together with Aslanov, they were invited to Iran to celebrate the 39th anniversary of the Islamic revolution. Aa representative of the Iranian Ministry of Education (the body in charge of the media) Hamid Nasir met them and accompanied. The witness said that he did not see that during his visit, including the train journey to Mashhad, Aslanov retired with Nasir.

Rovshanoglu said that together with Aslanov, he prepared reports and photographs. He indicated that his testimony at the preliminary investigation had been distorted. In particular, he did not say that Polad Aslanov allegedly went to the compartment of Hamid Nasir on the train and they were talking about something there. When asked by lawyers whether Rovshanoglu has any information that gives reason to suspect Aslanov of treason, the journalist gave negative answer. Further, at the trial, Mirkenan Seyidov was heard, who in 2019 was sentenced to 5 years in prison on charges of extortion through threats.

Seyidov said at the trial that an employee of the Press Council named Assad called him and asked him to convey to Polad Aslanov the proposal of the head of this structure, Aflatun Amashev, to remove publications about the extortion of bribes by MNB officers from travel agencies for transporting pilgrims. In exchange, P. Aslanov was promised material support for the site. The witness said that he had conveyed Amashev's proposal to Aslanov, but he did not accept it and did not delete the publication.

Seyidov partially confirmed the testimony given during the investigation. When the judge reminded him of his testimony during the investigation, Seyidov said that he signed only one sheet in the A-4 format, but in the case there are three sheets. Seyidov also said that he had testified against Aslanov, outraged by his wife's post in his address.

** Polad Aslanov was detained on June 12, 2019 and arrested for 4 months on charges under Article 274 (treason) of the Criminal Code. The investigation is being conducted by the State Security Service. On October 5, the arrest period was extended for another 4 months. He is accused of recruiting other journalists to cooperate with the Iranian special services. The Union "For Freedom of Political Prisoners" recognized Polad Aslanov as a political prisoner.-B06-