11:42, 26 August 2015

In Baku, defence asks court to acquit Khadija Ismayilova

Khadija Ismayilova. Photo by Aziz Karimov for the "Caucasian Knot"

In Azerbaijan, at the trial in the case against Khadija Ismayilova, the defence has delivered the final speech. The advocates asked the court to acquit the journalist of all charges.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Khadija Ismayilova, a reporter of the "Radio Liberty" in Azerbaijan, appeared in court on charges of economic crimes and bringing her colleague Tural Mustafaev to a suicide attempt. On August 21, prosecutor Ramazan Khadyev asked the court to sentence Khadija Ismayilova to 9 years of imprisonment.

The court has limited the access to the trial of activists of civil society, independent media, and foreign diplomats. Only the mother and the niece of the defendant, staff members of the US, UK, and Norwegian Embassies and the EU mission, as well as two journalists from the independent media were allowed to enter the courtroom.

Three advocates Fariz Namazly, Djavad Djavadov, and Fakhraddin Mekhdiev have presented to the court the written version of the final defence's speech read out by Fariz Namazly.

After the court session, Fariz Namazly has reported that the defence insists on acquittal of Khadija Ismayilova of all charges.

The court has scheduled the next hearing for August 31.

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

Author: Faik Medzhid

Source: CK correspondent