21:00, 21 February 2013

In Azerbaijan, Court of Appeal upholds decision of large fine of newspaper "Azadlyg"

On February 19, the Baku Court of Appeal chaired by Judge Ilgar Damirov considered the appeal filed by the newspaper "Azadlyg" and its correspondent Ramin Deko against the decision of the first instance court with regard to lawsuits filed by Kyabira Mamedova, the owner of the shopping centre "Bina".

The Court has dismissed the appeal. The editors and the correspondent of the newspaper intend to challenge the decision by filing a cassation to the Supreme Court (SC) of Azerbaijan.

The reason for filing the lawsuit was the publication of the articles, which stated that after the song contest "Eurovision 2012", Kyabira Mamedova demanded that the tenants should pay her 5000 manats (about 6300 US dollars). She explained that by the fact that the shopping centre had incurred sufficient expenses in connection with financing of the song contest.

In accordance with the court decision, the newspaper is to pay 30,000 manats (about 38,000 US dollars), and the correspondent 2000 manats (about 2500 US dollars) for compensation of moral damages.

Author: Faik Medzhid

Source: CK correspondent