Court rejects appeal to suspend the investigation into the murder of R. Tagi

Baku Court of Appeal dismissed the complaint on the suspension of the investigation into the murder of journalist Rafiq Tagi.

The attempt on Rafiq Tagi’s life  was committed by unknown  individuals on November 19, 2011 evening.  He was inflicted multiple stab wounds. His health after  surgery improved, but on November 23  his health worsened, and publicist died in hospital.

A lawsuit was filed under Article 126.1 (deliberate infliction of serious damage to health.)  After Tagi’s  death , the Article was reclassified into the Article 120.1 (deliberate murder.)

However, January 8, 2014 the Prosecutor General informed the family of the deceased  on suspension  the investigation in connection with the "non-establishment of the person subject to prosecution ."

In turn, the family of the deceased felt that  no effective investigation  was conducted.

The decision to suspend the investigation was appealed to the Nasimi District Court, which, however, dismissed the complaint.

On May 15  the Baku Court of Appeal upheld the decision, said the lawyer Elchin Sadigov.

According to him , the defense will appeal to the European Court of Human Rights.

Journalistic organizations  of Azerbaijan, and in particular the Media Rights Institute (IPM) and the Institute for Reporters Freedom and Safety ( IRFS ) repeatedly urged the authorities to end impunity for murders of journalists, and to find and punish the perpetrators of the murders of  Rafiq Tagi and editor of the magazine "Monitor" Elmar Huseynov. -16B06-