Editor-in-chief of Azerbaijani newspaper "Khural" accused of bribery

Avaz Zeinalov, the editor-in-chief of the Azerbaijani newspaper "Khural", has faced an indictment of bribery. The journalist's lawyer claims his innocence.

Avaz Tapdyg oglu Zeinalov (he signs his articles as "Zeinally") was arrested on October 28. The Anti-Corruption Department initiated a criminal case against the journalist on the basis of the complaint filed by the MP Gyulyar Akhmedova.

Zeinalov may face a sentence of 7-12 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property.

Elchin Sadygov, the journalist's lawyer, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent about his intention to file on October 31 a cassation appeal against the decision of the Nizami District Court which had set a pre-trial restriction to Avaz Zeinalov in the form of a 3-month arrest.

According to Elchin Sadygov, he still had no opportunity to read the materials of the criminal case and talk to the representative of the MP Akhmedova, the complainant in the case against the journalist. According to him, Gyulyar Akhmedova is currently abroad on business trip.

"This is a political order, backed by the Azerbaijani President himself," Avaz Zeinalov himself believes.

According to him, pressure on him and his edition is most likely caused by the material published by the newspaper which criticized the recent interview of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev to the "Al-Jazeera" TV Channel.