Investigation Exerts Pressure on Polad Aslanov, His Spouse Says

Baku / 08.07.19 / Turan: Despite the satisfaction of the lawyer's petition for the second interrogation of the journalist Polad Aslanov, he is still not interrogated. This was written on Facebook by his wife Gulmira Aslanova.

According to her, the journalist is under pressure to give up his lawyers.

"He is under pressure so that he does not change his testimony, which was obtained through pressure and torture," Aslanova further notes.

Further, she draws attention to the fact that the journalist is physically weak, loses weight, cannot normally eat, and suffers from cardiovascular disease.

"If Polad Aslanov refuses his lawyers and re-testimony, it means that pressure was exerted on him in the State Security Service, and he was forced to refuse. In fact, Polad Aslanov wants to testify again in the presence of his lawyers. He also spoke about this in a court statement," emphasizes the journalist's spouse.

Xeberman.com website editor Polad Aslanov was detained on June 12, and the next day the court arrested him for 4 months. He was charged under Art. 274 (high treason) of the Criminal Code. The investigation is conducted by the State Security Service.

Local and international organizations condemned the criminal prosecution of Aslanov, finding that the true reason for Aslanov"s arrest is his journalistic activities .-- 06B--