In Azerbaijan, BCA leaves journalist Khadija Ismaiylova in custody

Today, the Baku Court of Appeal (BAC) has dismissed the complaint filed by journalist Khadija Ismayilova about the pre-trial restriction measure against her in the form of arrest. The BCA left the journalist in custody, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was informed by advocate Yalchin Imanov after the court session.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on December 5 Khadija Ismayilova was questioned at the Baku City Prosecutor's Office, after which the court ruled to put her into custody as accused of incitement to a suicide attempt of her former colleague Tural Mustafaev. Her defence treats the accusation as absurd and her arrest as illegal.

"Khadija herself was brought to the court session. She has claimed that her arrest is unlawful and politically motivated; however, she expected it. The arrest of Khadija Ismayilova is indeed unfounded. Investigators even failed to provide the primary evidence against the journalist. The indictment is based on allegations made by Tural Mustafaev. In general, the criminal case looks like a gross falsification to discredit the journalist," Yalchin Imanov has stated.

Today, about 50 opposition politicians, activists, and journalists came to the BCA building to support Khadija Ismayilova.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.