Azerbaijan: arrest of Khadija Ismayilova extended until May 24

Today, the Nasimi District Court of Baku has extended for other two months – until May 24 – the detention of the journalist Khadija Ismayilova. Her defence treats this decision illegal and intends to appeal against it.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Khadija Ismayilova, an employee of the Azerbaijani Service of Radio Liberty, is accused of incitement to a suicide attempt of her former colleague Tural Mustafaev.

"The need to keep Khadija in custody was explained by means of standard formulations, say, she can put pressure on witnesses and hide from investigators. Of course, it's all nonsense. When Khadija was accused within private criminal prosecution by the former oppositionist Elman Gasanli, Khadija was abroad. Knowing about the threat of arrest, she returned home. As to the alleged Khadija's pressure on witnesses, then, being under home arrest, she won't be able to do it. Therefore, we petitioned about placing her under home arrest. However, the court rejected the petition," Fariz Namazly, one of Khadija's defenders, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Fariz Namazly drew attention to the fact that the extension of detention was made on the eve of the Women's Day on March 8, while investigators still had time until March 24.

"Apparently, this is the way they decided to 'congratulate' Khadija. But she doesn't lose her good spirits and encourages his colleagues and associates not to lose heart," said the lawyer.

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