BCA dismisses appeal filed by journalist Khadija Ismayilova

Today, the Baku Court of Appeal (BCA) has dismissed the appeal filed by journalist Khadija Ismayilova against the verdict in the case of defamation. The journalist's advocates intend to file an appeal to the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on February 23, 2015, the court sentenced Khadija Ismayilova to a fine in the case of defamation of former oppositionist Elman Gasanov (Tyurkoglu).

Today, the BCA has considered the appeal filed against the verdict to Khadija Ismayilova.

"The verdict states that Khadija Ismayilova has defamed Elman Gasanov of committing a serious crime. However, nothing of that kind has ever happened. The journalist has posted on Facebook the text, which she got and which reported that the secret services had recruited a member of the opposition for subversive activities inside the opposition. Meanwhile, the person's name in the text had been crossed out. That fact was to be investigated during the trial, and the court was to request the plaintiff to submit the evidence to prove Khadija Ismayilova's involvement in the crime. However, Judge Gail Mamedov has again dismissed our motion," advocate Yalchin Imanov told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Khadija Ismailova has repeatedly stated at the court hearing that the verdict against her was "politically motivated and connected with her journalistic investigations of the facts of corruption in the top echelons of power," the advocate has noted.

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