In Azerbaijan, consideration of Fatullaev's appeal postponed

Today, the Baku Appeal Court has again reappointed the preparatory session on the case of journalist Einullah Fatullaev on September 17.

The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports that the chairing judge Mirpasha Guseinov opened the session and proposed that Fatullaev should "study the materials of the case" better, and then appointed the next session after the end of sacred Moslem month of Ramadan (it is over on September 9).

Fatullaev did not object; and the session was appointed on September 17 at 11:00 a.m. At the same time Einullah Fatullaev petitioned for a permit to meet representatives of international journalistic and human rights organizations, who are now in Baku. The judge has answered that "while the preparatory session is on, and the hearings have not begun," he cannot give such sanction.

Despite the refusal to meet Fatullaev, the above representatives of the international mission were present at today's session at the Baku Appeal Court.

The international mission, which is presented by 10 world journalistic and human rights organizations, including the "Reporters without Borders", "Article 19", "Freedom House", International Federation of Journalists, World Association of Newspapers, Institute of Peace and War, is visiting Baku on September 7-9 with the aim to study the situation with the freedom of speech and self-expression in this country.