Azerbaijan: SC to reconsider journalist's complaint against Nakhichevan police boss

The Supreme Court (SC) of the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic (NAR) (located in Azerbaijan) has considered the appeal complaint lodged by Khakimeldost Mekhtiev, a correspondent of the Institute of Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS), against the decision of the Nakhichevan Court to reject Mr Mekhtiev's claim against Sabukhi Novruzov, boss of the city police.

Mekhtiev's claim was caused by inaction of the police in investigating threats against the journalist. According to his version, he received telephone threats in late January - early February, when he tried, together with other independent journalists of the region, to clear out the fate of the Ismailov family from Geidarabad village, Sadarak District of the NAR.

According to the journalist, the city court has rejected his complaint, because he had allegedly "exhibited no interest in his application."

The judge has made a decision to return the case for repeated consideration by the Nakhichevan City Court, as reported by the NGO named "Service for Monitoring Human Rights and Media in the NAR".

The press service of the Azerbaijani MIA has refrained from comments on Mekhtiev's complaint against local police and recommended to address the NAR's MIA; however, the latter also refused to make comments.