In Baku, CoA dismisses appeal of journalist Khadidja Ismailova

The Baku Court of Appeal (CoA) has upheld the verdict of the District Court to sentence Khadidja Ismailova, a journalist of the Azerbaijani Branch of the "Radio Liberty", to administrative penalty in the form of 220 hours of community service. Anar Gasymov, the journalist's advocate, called the Court's decision unlawful and stated that the relevant complaint will be filed to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on June 10, the Binagadi District Court of Baku sentenced Azerbaijani journalist Khadidja Ismailova to alternative administrative penalty in the form of 220 hours of community service on charges of violating the order of organizing and holding mass actions. However, on July 11, court marshals cancelled the earlier decision that Khadidja Ismailova should clean the streets and asked her to do cleaning in the department of functional diagnostics of the Rehabilitation Centre for persons with disabilities. The journalist refused to do cleaning and explained her decision by her unwillingness to perform community service in a "space closed to the public" because of possible provocations. Khadidja Ismailova has filed an appeal.

"The judge has noted the importance of execution of judgment. In response, I said that as long as judges make unlawful decisions, we will give up their execution. Judges are called upon to defend the law and human rights," Khadidja Ismailova told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

In his turn, advocate Anar Gasymov has noted that the Azerbaijan's government did not specified rules of appointment of community service and did not determine its forms.