11:31, 11 September 2013

In Azerbaijan, court dismisses appeal against verdict to editor-in-chief of "Khural"

The Supreme Court of Azerbaijan has dismissed the appeal filed by Avaz Zeinalov, the editor-in-chief of the newspaper "Khural", and upheld the verdict to deprive the journalist of liberty for nine years, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

In July 2013, Avaz Zeinalov filed an appeal against the verdict. In his appeal, the journalist asked the court to cancel the verdict and acquit him of all charges.

The verdict to Avaz Zeinalov was pronounced on March 12, 2013. The Baku Court of Grave Crimes found the editor-in-chief of the newspaper "Khural" guilty to charges of tax evasion, failure to fulfil judicial sentence, bribery, and extortion.

Earlier, the "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Avaz Zeinalov does not admit his guilt, and his colleagues claim the political nature of the case.

Let us remind you that the complaint against the journalist was filed by Gyular Akhmedova, who at that time was a member of parliament. At present, she is a defendant of the case on bribery. Later, other three persons filed complaints to the department to combat corruption about bribing the journalist.

Author: Faik Medzhid

Source: CK correspondent