Footballer Javid Huseynov Denies Involvement in Journalist’s Death

Today in the Baku Grave Crimes Court at the trial of the journalist Rasim Aliyev’s death, the footballer Javid Huseynov spoke as a witness.

Rasim Aliyev was beaten by a group of relatives and friends of Javid Huseynov on August 8, 2015. On the same day he was hospitalized, and died on August 9.

The reason for the beating was the criticism of the footballer’s behavior by the journalist. After that, he was threatened and beaten.

As the Aliyev family’s lawyer told Turan, Huseynov did not plead guilty of Aliyev’s death at the trial. He said that besides Elshan Ismayilov, who is his cousin, he does not know anyone of the accused.

"Elshan was angry with the status posted by Rasim Aliyev on Facebook. I spoke to Rasim on the phone and said that I did not attach any importance to this. However, Elshan said Rasim swore at his mother, and this was already a private matter of his own. I do not know what happened between them. Then I learned that Rasim was taken to hospital and I went to see him. The next day I heard that he died," said the footballer. Further, other witnesses were heard.

The lawyer does not agree with the course of the trial. According to him, the defense motions are not met. In addition, the courtroom is pre-filled with people unrelated to the case, and many independent journalists and relatives of the injured party are not allowed into the courtroom. The trial will continue on February 2. -03B-