Avaz Zeynalli Appeals to Ombudswoman

The editor of "Khural" newspaper, Avaz Zeynalli , arrested on charges of extortion, sent a letter to Ombudswoman, Elmira Suleymanova.  He complained of violations of his rights that include being deprived of periodicals in the Baku pre-trial prison, of corruption prospering, control of meetings with relatives, restricting the right to correspondence.  Zeynalli complained that he was under triple supervision carried out by warden, Vahid Aliyev. Zeynalli is not allowed to meet with representatives of international organizations or members of the Ombudswoman Office. In July, he was not allowed to meet with representatives of the OSCE.

In the letter, he said that his lawyer filed a lawsuit against jail leadership, which does not allow Zeynalli confidential meetings with his lawyer. Jail workers read all letters from Zeynalli to various authorities.  Zeynalli is not allowed to meet with his family, contrary to the law and his rights violated. Instead, for a bribe of 50-100 manat, personal meetings are allowed. Zeynalli   recommended the Ombudswoman come to the jail without informing jail leadership, and deal with the situation.

* Avaz Zeynalli, arrested on 28 October 2011, was charged with extortion, and then charged with default judgments, as well as tax evasion.  His trial is ongoing. -05D04-