Managers of Radio Azadlig Declare Unfounded Accusations of Kh. Ismayilova (UPDATED)

Today Baku Serious Crimes Court continued the trial of the journalist Khadija Ismayilova. They continued to study the documents.

However, before this Ismayilova made a number of applications: to hold a re-examination of the accounting and invite Emin Mammadov and Zaur Mammadov who conducted the first examination.

In turn, the public prosecutor opposed, since the examination was "comprehensive and scientifically sound."

Next Ismayilova petitioned to summon employees of the Baku Tax Department, Elchin Aliyev and Imran Nurmamedov.

The public prosecutor did not object and the judge granted the motion.

Further Ismayilova read the message from the Radio Liberty management to the Prosecutor General Zakir Garalov and the judge Ramella Allahverdiyeva.

The appeal states that due to unlawful interference by prosecutors and tax officials the activity of Radio Liberty has been paralyzed for eight months.

Despite the fact that the tax audit of the radio is not finished, the case against Ismayilova has been sent to the court.

The letter expressed confidence that the new charges against Ismayilova have been put forward to justify her arrest.

The letter stresses that neither Ismayilova, nor the office leaders that were before and after her were responsible for financial matters, and the radio broadcasts were legitimate and carried out on the basis of appropriate agreements.

The letter rejected the accusation that Ismayilova hired workers not on labor contracts, but on contracts for payment of services. Therefore, workers paid not a 14% tax, but a 4% one. Thus, Ismayilova "hid" from taxes 17,792 manats, which the investigation qualified as "misappropriation".

The judge interrupted Ismayilova, not allowing her to read the letter till the end and saying she would read it when she received it by mail. Then Ismayilova asked to attach the letter to the case as a complement to her evidence. However, the judge refused to do so. Next the hearing was adjourned.-16D-

2015 August 19 (Wednesday) 15:37:26

Today, a group of journalists and activists held an action in support of Khadija Ismailova in front of the Baku Court of Grave Crimes, where her trial is continued.

Outside the court, the journalists released a large number of colorful balloons and raised portraits of the arrested journalist. They chanted slogans "Freedom to Khadija!"

The action lasted a few minutes. Despite the presence of police outside the court, they did not intervene in the action.

It should be noted that the prosecutor is expected to address the trial today. -1606D--