Osman Narimanoglu says he has been prosecuted for his journalistic activities

Baku/07.07.23/Turan: Osman Narimanoglu (Rzayev), editor of the demokratik.az website, has addressed to the public due to the one-year anniversary of his arrest.

The journalist, who has been in custody since 5 July 2022, says he has become the victim of a smear campaign launched against him by officials of the Geygel region because of his professional activities.

He is charged under Article 182.2.2 (extortion by threat) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, based on complaints of the director of Geygel hospital Vasif Aliyev, Ilgar Maharramov, former head of the region irrigation department, and two other healthcare professionals.

According to Narimanoglu, the charges were fabricated because of his coverage of negative phenomena in these structures, whose leaders have patrons in the Geygel law enforcement agencies.

Narimanoglu notes that the criminal proceedings are not based on any credible evidence but on the unsubstantiated testimony of the complainants and the "so-called witnesses".

The journalist also focused on violation of his rights during the investigation. For instance, after he was detained, he was not allowed to contact his relatives and inform them about the situation, nor invite a lawyer of his choice. According to Narimanoglu, pressure was exerted on him during the investigation.

Narimanoglu further notes that the investigation has been unreasonably prolonged for 7 months and the trial is now continuing for five months.

In conclusion, he calls on the leadership of the country and the Prosecutor General's Office not to remain indifferent to the arbitrariness of the law enforcement agencies against him to intervene and put an end to the violation of his rights. Narimanoglu also calls on the country's public and the media community to keep his case in the spotlight. 

The Human Rights Union "For Freedom to Political Prisoners of Azerbaijan" has recognized Narimanoglu as a political prisoner. -06D-