Lawyer for Khadija Ismayilova Addresses Prosecutor of Baku

The lawyer of the imprisoned journalist Khadija Ismayilova Yalcin Imanov appealed to the Prosecutor of Baku and requested information on the investigative actions in connection with the establishment of a hidden camera in her apartment and blackmail against her.

In a letter Imanov recalls that in connection with the spread of Internet videos concerning privacy of Ismayilova, on March 15, 2012 Attorney General initiated a criminal case under article 156 (privacy) of the Criminal Code and the conduct of the investigation was entrusted to the Baku Prosecutor's Office. Ismayilov was granted a victim status.

Subsequently, however, the criminal case was suspended without notification of Ismayilova and her lawyer.

Neither the journalist, nor the defense was provided with information about the measures of investigation.

The lawyer asked the prosecutor's office to issue a copy of the decision to suspend the investigation, as well as inform about the investigation completed so far.

In December 2014 Ismayilova was arrested on charges of incitement to suicide of her colleague Tural Mustafayev. Subsequently, the charges were dropped, but the journalist was sentenced to 7.5 years in prison, accused of misappropriation, tax evasion and abuse of office. Amnesty International admitted her a prisoner of conscience. The US, the EU and many international organizations have called for her release. -06D-