Rauf Mirkadyrov is sentenced to six years in prison (UPDATED-Photo)

On Monday the Baku  Serious Crimes Court  sentenced a journalists Rauf Mirkadyrov to six  years of imprisonment with serving his sentence in a penal colony. A  journalist  is accused of espionage in favor of Armenia and the prosecutor asked to condemn him for seven years.

However Mirkadyrov was recognized as a prisoner of conscience, for the real reason for his arrest - the desire of the authorities to convince the public of espionage and subversive activities of human rights activist Leyla Yunus, and  Mirkadyrov was involved in her projects. According to the indictment, namely Leyla Yunus and her husband Arif "recruited" Rauf Mirkadyrov  to  spy for Armenia. However,  the accusation of treason against the  spouses Yunus was separated, and they were convicted  with economic charges, and later the sentence was changed to conditional. -03В-

2015 December 28 (Monday) 14:11:39

On the morning of 28 December, the Serious Crimes Court was expected to issue a verdict on the journalist Rauf Mirkadyrov’s case. However, at the last moment, the sentencing was postponed to 16:30. The reason for the delay is not clear.

Recall that the journalist is accused of espionage in favor of Armenia and the prosecutor is asked to condemn him for 7 years.

However, Mirkadyrov is recognized as a prisoner of conscience and the real reason for his arrest was to convince the public of the sabotage activities of the human rights activist Leyla Yunus.

According to the indictment, namely Leyla Yunus and her husband Arif "recruited" Rauf Mirkadyrov as an Armenian spy.

However, for the spouses Yunus the preventive measure of arrest has been changed and they are at home now. -02B-