Rauf Mirkadyrov's custody extended until November 16

The new judge (the previous one was challenged by the defence) has extended the custody of the Azerbaijani journalist Rauf Mirkadyrov, despite the assurance of his advocates that he would not hide from investigators.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Rauf Mirkadyrov, an observer of the Russian-language newspaper "Zerkalo" (Mirror) was detained in April 2014 and accused of espionage in favour of Armenia. The journalist denies the charges; and his prosecution is condemned both by his colleagues and international human rights organizations. On September 3, in Baku, at a session to define a freedom restriction measure for Mirkadyrov, the defence challenged the Judge Shalala Gasanova under the motive that she had already made a decision to place the journalist behind bars.

The challenge was satisfied; and today the issue of Mirkadyrov's custody was considered by a new judge – Azer Pashaev, as Elmar Suleimanov, the journalist's advocate, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent. The prosecutor's office motivated the need to keep Mirkadyrov in custody by the fact that his residence is unknown; and he may hide from investigation.

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