16:00, 5 November 2011

Additional charges presented to Azerbaijani journalist Avaz Zeinalov

The founder and editor-in-chief of the "Khural" newspaper Avaz Zeinalov has faced additional charges. He is accused of repeatedly taking bribes.

Avaz Zeinalov was arrested on October 28. The Department for combating corruption initiated a criminal case against him under the articles of "huge bribe-taking" and "bribe extortion by threats" based on the complaint of the MP Gyulyar Akhmedova. Zeinalov is under threat of imprisonment for 7-12 years with confiscation of property.

On October 31, Zeinalov's advocate lodged four appeal complaints; however, the court rejected them all.

The new charges against the journalist were reported by his advocate Elchin Sadygov, who noted that three more persons had turned to the above department for combating corruption under the General Prosecutor's Office and asserted that they had bribed Avaz Zeinalov, the IA "Trend" reports.

Based on these new complaints, the above department has moved additional charges against Avaz Zeinalov under the article of "repeated bribe-taking", the IA "APA" reports.