In Azerbaijan, editor-in-chief of newspaper "Tolyshi Sado" arrested for three months

Today, in Baku, court sanctioned the 3-month arrest of Khilal Mamedov, the editor-in-chief of the newspaper "Tolyshi Sado", published in the Talysh language, the deputy head of the Talysh Cultural Centre, on charges of drug possession.

Relatives of Khilal Mamedov said that in the morning of June 21, the journalist left the house and disappeared, and later, it was revealed that he was detained by the police. Drugs were found during the search of the Khilal Mamedov's apartment. The relatives state that the drugs had been planted by investigators, the Radio Station "Echo of the Caucasus" reports.

Anar Gasymov, the lawyer of Khilal Mamedov, has confirmed that charges were filed under Article 234 of the Criminal Code (drug possession and distribution) and that his client faces 5-12 years of imprisonment for possession of more than 30 grams of heroin.

Anar Gasymov has noted that he treats the arrest of his client as unjustified and that he filed a motion to release his client from arrest; however, the motion was dismissed.

According to the lawyer, in the course of giving testimony, Khilal Mamedov claimed that he had been beaten at detention. Anar Gasymov has stated that the body of his client bears clearly visible bruises and sores, the "SalamNews" reports.

In connection with that fact, the defence presented another motion concerning investigation into use of violence. The motion was granted, and photos, which registered signs of beating, were brought to the prosecutor's office of the Nizami District of Baku.

Khilal Mamedov was brought to the Shuvalan SIZO (pre-trial prison), the "Contact Online News" reports.