Prior to trial in Baku, activist hold picket in defence of Hilal Mamedov

Today, Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, hosted the third within last 20 days action in defence of Hilal Mamedov, the arrested editor-in-chief of the newspaper "Tolyshi Sado". The action was dated to the court session on Mamedov's case at the Baku Court for Grave Crimes.

The action started at about 11:00 a.m. in front of the reception of the above court with participation of over 30 persons, the members of the "Committee in Defence of Hilal Mamedov's Rights", other civil society activists and managers of some mass media. They came there despite strong wind and wet snow. They attached Mamedov's photos with inscription "Freedom to Hilal Mamedov!" to their clothes. The action was silent; no slogans were voiced out.

At first, policemen did not interfere; however, 20 minutes later, they offered the audience to disperse. Trying to avoid confrontation and following the advice of the leaders of the "Committee in Defence of Hilal Mamedov's Rights", the participants of the action dispersed.

Rafig Djalilov, the co-chair of the above committee, told reporters that the action had hit the target. In his opinion, it was a message to the court and authorities that public attention to Mamedov would not go down.

As to the trial itself, on March 6 it continued in the closed regime; and Mamedov refuses to evidence in protest against the regime.