Figurant in Ismayilova's case withdraws testimony

At the today's session of the court, where the case of the Azerbaijani journalist Khadija Ismayilova is considered, the victim Tural Mustafaev has confessed that he had slandered the defendant. The court, however, has rejected the motion of the defence to deprive Mustafaev of the status of victim, the advocate Fariz Namazly told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent after the session.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Ismayilova is accused of bringing to a suicide attempts her former colleague Tural Mustafaev. This case is combined with that of embezzlement, illegal entrepreneurship and abuse of power. Ismayilova faces up to 12 years in prison.

"Tural Mustafaev has confessed that his testimony at the preliminary investigation that Ismayilova had driven him to a suicide attempt was wrong. In fact, as Mustafaev has stated, the cause of his suicide attempt was in his quarrel with his bride Rovshan Ragimli. Mustafaev said he did not consider himself a victim in this case. Rovshan Ragimli, in her turn, noted that Mustafaev had mental problems and often drank alcohol; and once he even broke a bottle and threatened to kill her. Ragimli also stated that Mustafaev was registered at the psychological dispensary, and 20 days before the incident he took his treatment there," said Namazly.

According to his story, after the testimonies of Mustafaev and witnesses, the defence petitioned to lift the victim status from him. However, the court rejected the petition. "In general, it is a complete absurdity: the victim says that he is not such, but the court forces him into this status, asserting that he had suffered damage," said the lawyer.

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