12:00, 21 May 2013

A founder of an oppositional newspaper in Azerbaijan sentenced to three years of imprisonment conditionally

Founder of “Giundem Khabar” (“Daily News”) Shirin Djafari in Azerbaijan was sentenced to three years of imprisonment conditionally for accusation of nonpayment of tax, the “Caucasian Knot” correspondent reports.

This judgment was brought by Kyapaz district court of the town of Gandzha on May, 20, acknowledging Djafari guilty of tax evasion to a large sum. The court also obliged him to repay taxes to a sum of over 71 427 manats (over 91 thousand dollars) for the period from June, 1, 2009, till June, 1, 2011.

The defendant considers the verdict unfair, unlawful, politically motivated and is going to appeal to the Appellate Court against it. According to Editor-in-Chief of “Giundem Khabar” Nasimi Sharafkhanly, the judgment is critical for the newspaper for it is unable to pay such a fine.

“Giundem Khabar” newspaper has been published in Azerbaijan about four years. Since May of 2011 the paper comes out five days a week.

Author: Faik Medzhid

Source: CK correspondent