Parviz Hashimli attempted suicide

Baku/13.12.13/Turan : Baku Sabail District Court today rejected the claim from the journalist Parviz Hashimli for his transfer from the MNS prison to the prison of the Penitentiary Service . This was reported to Turan by Ilaha, the spouse of the journalist.

According to her, before the start of the process around the courthouse were concentrated a large number of police officers. They did not allow reporters to approach the family and the prisoner when he was taken to court.

Hashimli was brought to court in handcuffs and he managed to shout: "I 'm tortured!".

His wife also reported that Parviz was not allowed to bring his records about the torture to the court. In protest , the lawyer Elchin Sadigov left the courtroom.

Hashimli himself in protest turned his back to the judge .

"After that Parviz was transferred to another room and the trial was without participation of his counsel and himself," said the wife .

According to her, due to physical and psychological pressure Parviz Hashimli recently attempted suicide .

" He is said all sorts of things and they insult him into beating himself and causing injury. The lawyer told us that Parviz would inflict blows with scissors, butthe  wardens prevented that," said Ilaha Hashimli .

According to the woman, Hashimli calls for speedy completion of the trial and for stopping pressure on him.

We did not manage to get comments from the MNS Public Relations Center.

* Parviz Hashimli was arrested Sept. 17 on charges of illegal possession of weapons and contraband . He denied the charges and said that he was arrested in connection with his journalistic and human rights activities.

Hashimli is an employee of the newspaper Bizim Yol and the head of the site moderator.az. In addition, he directs the Center for the Protection of Political and Civil Rights. -16B03-