Trial on case against editor-in-chief of newspaper "Tolyshi Sado" to be partially open

The trial in the case against Hilal Mamedov, the editor-in-chief of the newspaper "Tolyshi Sado", will be partially held in open mode. The decision was made today by Judge Azer Orudjev at the preparatory court session at the Baku Court of Grave Crimes.

Prosecutor has asked the Judge to conduct the trial partially behind closed doors because some evidences contain state secrets.

In response, advocate Khalid Bagirov has stated that the public prosecutor deliberately prevents opening of the trial. Another advocate Ramiz Mamedov has drawn attention to the resonant nature of the case against Hilal Mamedov and stressed the need for a transparent trial.

"The trial should be held on open mode, and the society should know all the truth. If Hilal Mamedov is a traitor, let him be punished. However, if his guilt is not proved, then he should be released," the advocate has said.

The Judge has ruled out that the trial under Article "high treason" and Article "inciting ethnic and religious hatred" will be held behind closed doors, and the trial under Article "illegal possession and distribution of drugs" will be held in open mode.