Polad Aslanov Refused to testify

Baku / 16.11.19 / Turan: On Saturday, with the participation of the lawyer Osman Kyazimov, an interrogation of the journalist Polad Aslanov, held in the State Security Service (SSS) pretrial detention center, took place.

This was reported by the journalist's wife Gulmira Aslanova.

“However, Polad Aslanov interrupted his testimony due to biased investigation. He stated that he no longer intended to testify. Polad Aslanov has been under investigation by the State Security Service for more than 5 months. So far, no reliable evidence has been submitted to confirm his guilt,” said G. Aslanova, who also met with her husband in jail on Saturday.

“Polad Aslanov said that he was a journalist and his activities were in plain sight, and he did not commit any acts of treason,” G. Aslanova said.

According to G. Aslanova, appeals from her and P. Aslanov himself to the country's leadership, the heads of the State Security Service, the Prosecutor General and other officials had no results.

* Recall that the editor of the website xeberman.com Polad Aslanov was detained on June 12, and the next day the court arrested him for 4 months on charges of art. 274 (treason) of the Criminal Code. The investigation is conducted by the State Security Service.

On October 5, the period of the arrest of the journalist was extended for another 4 months. Local and international organizations condemned the criminal prosecution of Aslanov, believing that the real reason for his arrest is his journalistic activities.   -06B-