The court does not release Mehman Huseynov on probation

Baku / 24.08.18 / Turan: The Garadagh District Court of Baku today considered the appeal of the well-known blogger Mehman Huseynov about early release in connection with the serving more than half of the sentence. The court did not satisfy the appeal, said the lawyer Shahla Humbatova. According to her, the administration of the jail submitted a negative testimony to Huseynov, stating that the blogger "did not take the path of correction". He was accused of "not sincere attitude to the staff of the jail, negative attitude towards work, not participating in works on improvement and cultural events."

M.Huseynov himself stated that his question was not considered in court and he is sure that they are not going to release him. "This is decided not by the head of jail or the judge," M.Huseynov said. At the same time, he noted that there is no place in the jail for cultural events with the participation of thousands of prisoners.

Protection does not agree with the decision of the court. The lawyer pointed out that Mehman Huseynov had no disciplinary sanctions and observations for 1.5 years. The defense will appeal.

* The blogger and chairman of the Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety, Mehman Huseynov, was convicted in March 2017 for 2 years of imprisonment on libel charges, in connection with a lawsuit against him by the head of the Nasimi district police department, Musa Musayev. The reason for filing the claim was Huseynov's allegations of torture against him at the said institution last January. However, according to human rights activists, the true reason for the persecution of Huseynov was his video reports about the luxurious villas of members of the government and parliament of Azerbaijan. International organization Amnesty International recognized Huseynov as a "prisoner of conscience" .- 06D-