14:40, 17 July 2014

Mirkadirov's advocates blame Azerbaijani power agents for breaching his presumption of innocence

Rauf Mirkadirov (in the centre) during his detention. May 6, 2014. Photo: RFE/RL

In Azerbaijan, the defence of journalist Rauf Mirkadirov has rejected the charges against him presented in the official statement of the country's law enforcement bodies of their client's collaboration with special services of Armenia and transfer of information to the detriment of the national security. The defence has also stated a violation of the journalist's presumption of innocence.

The above statement is unambiguously presenting Mirkadirov as a person who has committed a grave crime, the advocates report.

According to one of them Fuad Agaev, the accusations of Mirkadirov about his transfer of military and state secret schemes and photos of military units, airfields and other strategic sites are also unjustified.

Earlier, Agaev noted that Mirkadirov could become a victim in geopolitical games. The lawyer has reminded that prior to his arrest the journalist had harshly criticized Russian leadership for annexing the Crimea and the government of Recep Erdogan for suppressing democratic freedoms and restricting the Internet in Turkey.

Author: Faik Medzhid

Source: CK correspondent