Trial Begins on Financial Director of Azadlig Paper

Baku / 17.05.17 / Turan: The trial on the case of the financial director of the Azadlig newspaper Faig Amirov will begin in the Sabail court under the chairmanship of Ayten Aliyeva on May 19. The lawyer Aghil Lahijov informed Turan IA about this.

Recall that Amirov was arrested on August 20, 2016 on charges of inciting religious hatred. The investigation presented him as a personal envoy of Fethullah Gülen, an Islamic theologian accused of attempting a coup in Turkey.

First, articles 168.1 and 283.2.2 of the Criminal Code (violation of the rights of citizens under the guise of religious activity and inciting hatred) were brought up against him.

Then these accusations were "forgotten" and a new accusation was brought up of tax evasion (Article 213.1 of the Criminal Code). Amirov faces imprisonment of up to 5 years.

The Popular Front Party, of which he is a member, regards Amirov's arrest as a political order of the authorities in order to strangle the country's only opposition newspaper, Azadlig, and to blacken the party itself.

The democratic public and numerous international organizations share this opinion, demanding the immediate release of Amirov. -16B-