The trial in the case of Zeynalli is artificially prolonged

Another trial of the chief editor of "Khural"  newspaper, Avaz Zeynalli, will be held on January 9 at 14:00 PM  in the Court of Serious Crimes,  chaired by  Ramella Allahverdiyeva.

Avaz Zeynalli was arrested on a false denunciation of the former deputy Gular Akhmedova, accusing Zeynalli   of money extortion from her. On her complaint,  on October 28, 2011 the Anti-Corruption  Department under the General Prosecutor Office  filed a lawsuit  under the  Article 311.3.3 (large-size bribery) and 311.3.4 (bribery by intimidation.) However, at the trial, which has not yet been completed, the prosecution did not manage to  presented evidence against Zeynalli.

Now Gular  Akhmedova  herself  has become a subject of corruption. She was excluded  from the ruling party "Yeni Azerbaijan", and deprived of parliamentary powers. General Prosecutor Office opened  filed a lawsuit against her under the  Article 178.3.2 (fraud) of the Criminal Code for receiving a large bribe from Elshad Abdullayev, former Rector of the International University in exchange for deputy mandate. 

At  the trial Zeynalli said  that Akhmedova was sent to him by Ramiz Mehdiyev, the head of the Presidential Administration and  Ali Hasanov,  the Head of the Sociopolitical  Department of the Administration.

International human rights organizations have recognized Zeynalli a prisoner of conscience, because they believe that the real reason for his arrest is  a criticism of the authorities.

The first hearing in the case  of Zeynalli was held on 14 May, 2012. According to the defense, the court can not prove his guilt and  unreasonably  is delaying   passing a ruling.—0—