Azerbaijani journalist Fatullaev receives no compensation yet defined by ECtHR

So far, the Azerbaijani authorities have not paid the compensation of 25,000 euros awarded by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) to imprisoned journalist Einullah Fatullaev. Despite cancellation of the journalist's two previous 2007 convictions, the demand of the ECtHR to release him from custody is still ignored; the journalist remains in jail on new charges, which he finds fabricated.

The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told by Emin Fatullaev, the journalist's father, that no money had arrived to the special account opened at the International Bank of Azerbaijan (IBA). In the context of this protraction with payment, Emin Fatullaev plans to go to the Sabail District Court with a lawsuit against the government.

In his turn, Elchin Sadygov, the journalist's advocate, has explained that under the rules of the ECtHR the monetary compensation should be paid within three months from the date the decision was announced.

On April 22, 2010, the ECtHR declared illegal the sentences of the Azerbaijani courts against Fatullaev and demanded his release and payment of 25,000 euros to him as compensation, and 2880 euros more - as legal costs. The Azerbaijani authorities did not agree and lodged an appeal. In early October last year, the Grand Chamber of the ECtHR upheld the decision and rejected the government's appeal.

According to the advocate, further ignoring by the government of the ECtHR's decision may entail sanctions from the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

The attempts to get any comments from Chingiz Askerov, Special Representative of Azerbaijan at the ECtHR, were fruitless. His office and mobile telephones failed to react to calls.

Meanwhile, the convicted journalist is supported by local international democratic public.

"Thus, in the last decade of December the postman brought 170 letters with expressions of hope for Einullah's soon release from prison and triumph of justice. The letters were sent by ordinary people and by 50 high-ranking figures of the World Catholic Church, who blessed my son and wished good to all oppressed journalists," said the father of convicted journalist.