Deputy Ahmedova in Azerbaijan evidenced at a trial on the case of Editor-in-Chief of "Khural" newspaper

During a trial of July, 2, on the case of Avaz Zeinalov, Editor-in-Chief of "Khural" newspaper, the Court of Baku for grave crimes heard the evidence of the main claimant, Deputy of the Parliament Giulyar Ahmedova and one on the aggrieved persons, Director of "Azerbaijan" publishing house Agabek Askerov.

Earlier, the "Caucasian Knot" reported that Avaz Zeinalov was arrested on October, 28, 2011, for suspicion of bribe taking on a large scale upon Deputy Giulyar Ahmedova's statement. Besides Ahmedova, three more persons appealed to the Department of fight against corruption stating the journalist's bribe-taking. Later charges of non-execution of verdicts and tax evasion were also brought against him. Consideration of the case on the merits started on May, 18.

During a session of June, 20, evidence of two aggrieved persons was heard: Vugar Safarli, Executive Director of Foundation of mass media state support, and singer Nushaba Aleskerli. They declared that they supported their claims against Zeinalov demanding compensation for offence and slander. On June, 27, the trial was deferred till July, 2.

At the session of July, 2, claimant Director of "Azerbaijan" publishing house Agabek Askerov was the first to speak. He declared that Zeinalov offended him writing that during the period of Askerov's management "Azerbaijan" publishing house started smelling of toilet stink".

"We wrote that during the period of your management the publishing house sold out 18 hectares out of 20 in the territory of the enterprise. A bakehouse was opened, a restaurant built, a private publishing house established, and all that for account of state funds. Was that untrue? You accuse me of inflicting moral suffering on you but when you misappropriate state money don't you experience suffering yourself?", Avaz Zeinalov asked.

He said that the editorial board had already paid 670 manats (about 820 dollars) court fine out of 1000 manats (1210 dollars) and was ready to clear off the remaining sum.

Askerov declared that Zeinalov's accusations against him were groundless.

Then the main claimant Deputy Giulyar Ahmedova spoke. She was presented at the trial as a witness, not an aggrieved party.

Her evidence was accompanied by mutual accusations between Zeinalov and her. The journalist accused the Deputy of slandering him by instruction from above. The Deputy, in her turn, said that Zeinalov was "responsible for his actions".

During this verbal skirmish Assistant Deputy Ahmed Shahidov struck the defendant's brother Rauf Zeinalov from behind and hid himself behind the bailiffs. Bustle arose in the courtroom. Then the judge declared the session adjourned for a short time.

According to Ahmedova, everything started when Nigyar Almangazy, ex-Editor-in-Chief of "Merkez" newspaper she founded, shared some documents compromising the Deputy with Zeinalov and "Khural" newspaper started publishing an announcement of these materials.

Ahmedova declared that she was afraid of nothing and had not done anything compromising her.

"But I am a mother and I feared that my sons would use violence against this man. That is why I talked to "Khural" Editor-in-Chief and we arranged that I would pay him 10 thousand manats (over 12 100 dollars) and there would be no more publications about me. But then I asked myself why I should pay him. I wished to convince Zeinalov in a friendly way but he would not listen to me. So, I put him in a position he deserved", the parliamentarian said.

Zeinalov, in his turn, asked Ahmedova why her sons should become murderers.

Ahmedova's brother who was present at the trial rushed towards the iron cell and started insulting the journalist.

Then attorney Mansum Bairamov explaining that Zeinalov felt unwell suggested to defer the trial. The trial was deferred till 11:00, July, 11.