01:23, 13 May 2014

Advocates of Azerbaijani journalist Gashimli ask the court to acquit him

In Azerbaijan, the defence lawyers of the journalist and human rights defender Parviz Gashimli have asked the court to acquit their client, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

One of them – Elchin Sadygov – said on May 12, addressing the court session that Gashimli "had fallen victim to intrigues within the power bodies and its policies to suppress the opposition." The lawyer noted that Gashimli was arrested on the eve of the presidential election on October 9, 2013.

Fariz Namazly, another Gashimli's advocate, also stated the political motives of the journalist's persecution.

The lawyer Namazly drew attention of the court to the fact that Gashimli's prosecution for his professional journalism was reflected in the statement of 53 well-known Azerbaijani journalists, as well as in a special appeal to the authorities of Azerbaijan issued by Dunja Mijatovic, the OSCE Representative on the Freedom, of September 27, 2013.

The judge scheduled the next session for May 14. It is expected that the floor will be given to Parviz Gashimli himself, the second defendant Gurbanov and his advocate.

Author: Faik Medzhid

Source: CK correspondent