In Azerbaijan, bloggers' advocates challenge the bench

Today in Azerbaijan, the Baku Appeal Court, presided by Gail Mamedov, continued consideration of the complaint lodged by young bloggers Emin Milli and Adnan Gadjizade.

The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports that the suffered party in the case - Vyusal Mamedov and Babek Guseinov - were again absent, despite the earlier bloggers' petition about their presence at the hearings.

Isakhan Ashurov, Gadjizade's advocate, moved a petition to challenge the judges, because two out of three of them are "interested persons."

Mr Ashurov has reminded that back at the preliminary investigation the defence moved complaints against violation in relation to the bloggers of the presumption of innocence and against their brutal treatment at detention by the police. These complaints were considered by Judges Abid Abdinbekov and Gail Mamedov - members of the present court.

Elton Guliev, Milli's advocate, has also supported the petition. Besides, he moved a petition to hold a partial inquiry of violations of the law during preliminary investigation and consideration of the case by the first instance.

The bloggers also supported the petitions of their lawyers.

Judge Mamedov has appointed the next session on March 3 at 3:00 p.m. At that session, it will be announced whether the challenge was accepted or not.