Attacks on journalists at the trial of Khadija Ismayilova (UPDATED-VIDEO)

The journalists who came to the Baku Serious Court  to gove coevarge on the trial of the  journalist Khadija Ismayilova, were subjected  to physical and moral pressure by a group of individuals that  filled the courtroom. The reason for the aggression was the question of journalists about the trial of Ismayilova. They insulted the reporter of radio station "Voice of America" and Turan agency Tapdig Farhadoglu and operator "Radio Azadlig" Islam Shikhaliyev ,trying to break their camera and hit them. At the same time, the police quietly watched the scene.

At the trial the accused  asked to remove  the court  protesting  against the non admission of the representatives of the independent press to the hall. The judge did not consider  the demand of Ismayilova. Then  witnesses gave testimonies. Investigative journalist Aynur Imranova said that the court was interested in her relationship with the defendant Tural Mustafayev.

Imranova said that she had no information about their personal relationships, however, she knew from former wife  of Mustafayev  that he has  mental problems, and three times  made a suicide attempt. That's why  he has not been given a job. it never took on the job. Imranova also said that Ismayilova was engaged in journalism, and  could not make a pressure.

 Next were questioned  employee of entertaining center "Park Bulvar", where Mustafayev tried to commit a suicide, and the person who sold him the rat poison, said  the lawyer Fariz Namazly.

Employee of  the "Park Bulvar" said that  he had seen four cases of suicide attempts, but he has never been  summoned to court. The next  trial will be on 10  August.—06D-

2015 August 07 (Friday) 14:04:03

At the trial of Khadija Ismayilova the indictment was announced today, the lawyer Fariz Namazly told Turan.

However, according to Article 125 ("incitement to suicide") no charges are read out in the absence of the victim Tural Mustafayev. The court decided to forcibly bring him to the trial.

The defense applied for enabling Ismayilova to sit down with the lawyers. However, the court rejected the petition, and Ismayilova was left in the "tank." Judge Ramella Allahverdiyeva said that "it is necessary for her security. "

The lawyer also asked the court to file the decision of the Baku Tax Department to suspend the tax audit of the Baku bureau of Radio Azadlig until August 14.

Ismayilova rejected charges of tax evasion, abuse and so forth, calling them absurd, devoid of legal basis and not related thereto. She reiterated that she was arrested for political reasons.

After the break, the testifying of Ismayilova will continue. -06D-

2015 August 07 (Friday) 12:19:44

Holding closed trials of government critics is becoming a tradition in Azerbaijan. So, today at the trial of the journalist Khadija Ismayilova even her mother was not let into the room, not to mention journalists and human rights defenders.

Only the representatives of the embassies of the United States, Germany and France were able to get into the room.

Employees of the embassies of the Netherlands and the United Kingdom were not allowed.

At the same time, the hall was filled with dummies, which passed through the back door.

In connection with the trial, security measures have been taken. Reinforced police surround the Court for Grave Crimes.

About 50 activists have come to the courthouse to support Ismayilova.

Recall that a similar situation takes place at the trial of the spouses Arif and Leyla Yunus.

* Khadija Ismayilova was arrested on December 5, 2014 on charges of incitement to suicide attempts of the journalist Tural Mustafayev. However, on February 13, prosecutors filed new charges under three articles - 179.3.2 (embezzlement on a large scale), 192.2.2 (illegal business with extraction of large income) 213.1 (tax evasion) and 308.2 (abuse of power, resulting in grave consequences) of the Criminal Code. She denies the charges and says that she is being persecuted for investigative reporting of corruption in the higher echelons of power. -06D-