Khadija Ismailova is on trial in jail

A trial against the journalist Khadija Ismailova on the suit of the former opposition member, the so-called "standard bearer" Elman Hasanov (Turkoglu) resumed after a month break, and the trial was unexpectedly held in jail in Kurdakhani. The plaintiff claims that Ismailova had slandered him by publishing on the Facebook a document on the recruitment of Hasanov by special services for the purpose of subversion within the opposition. Hasanov said that it was false. In turn, Ismailova indicates that there is not the name Hasanov in the published text.  Ismailova said charges are contrived, and believes that behind it are special services. The publication of these topics appeared in 2011 on behalf of the Facebook user named Mustafa Gozlu. In connection with the arrest of Ismaylova on December 5 on another charge, the trial of the suit of Hasanov interrupted. However, on February 20 hearing resumed in jail under the chairmanship of  judge of Binagadi Court, Sadraddin Hajiyev. But Ismaylova has not been notified. When she was taken out of the chamber, they said, that she was taken to a meeting with a lawyer.

During the meeting, the lawyer Elton Guliyev and Ismaylova protested against trial  in the pre-trial  jail, because at the preparatory meeting decided to hold  open hearings. Protection insisted on enforcing the principle of openness of court. However, the petition  was rejected, the lawyer said Guliyev.

However, the court  did not consider the petition.

Hasanov demanded to punish Ismayilova under Article 147.2 (defamation of a felony.) The lawyer demanded acquittal because no evidence of Ismaylova’s guilt was presented. The journalist was invited to deliver the last word, but she refused. The next meeting was scheduled for February 23. –06В-