Prosecutor Office Refuses to File Lawsuit on the Torture of Hilal Mammadov

The inhuman treatment, (torture), trial, of arrested editor of "Tolyshi Sado" newspaper, Professor Hilal Mammadov, took place in the Nasimi District Court of Baku on August 29.  The trail was expected to be open allowing anyone to attend.  However, the judge, Emin Mehdiyev, decided to hold a closed trial, moving it to the basement.

Journalists and members of the Committee to protect the rights of Mammadov had to wait for the court’s decision from the street.  Half an hour later, at 13.00, lawyer Elchin Imanov, announced the trial was over, and the court retired to consult on its decision.

Imanov reported that on August 27, Deputy General Prosecutor Usubov denied a defense motion to file a lawsuit on the inhuman treatment. The complaint noted, “during the first two days Mammadov was deprived of food and water," said the lawyer.

Azerbaijani court, which usually adopts prompt decisions on political trials, this time, was unreasonably slow. Three hours after the end of the hearing, there was still no decision.

The lawyer Imanov left for another hearing at the Court of Appeal, and promised to inform the participants about the decision of Nasimi Court, resulting in a negative decision.

* The editor of "Tolyshi Sado" newspaper and the deputy head of the Talysh Cultural Center, Professor Hilal Mammadov, were arrested on June 21 on charges of drug possession. On July 4, new claims were made against him, under Articles 274 (high treason) and 283.2.2 (incitement of national, racial, social and religious hatred, hostility, and ethnic discrimination.)

Local and international democratic communities are convinced Mammadov was persecuted for political reasons, due to his active civil position on human rights.

Mammadov is the author of a popular online video on Azerbaijani Meyhana "Who are you? Come on, goodbye." —0--