Figurants of trial of Rasim Aliev's murder dissatisfied with verdict

The advocates for the defendants in the murder case of the Azerbaijani journalist Rasim Aliev have not agreed with the verdict handed down today by the court and intend to appeal against it. His father expressed dissatisfaction with the court judgement, because the doctors who had treated his were not made liable.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that today the court in Baku has announced a guilty verdict on Rasim Aliev's murder of and sentenced the defendants Kenan Madatov and Samir Mustafaev to nine years in prison each; Djamal Mamedov – to 11 years, Arif Aliev – to 12 years, and Elshan Ismailov – to 13 years in prison.

Fakhraddin Aliev, who is representing the interests of Arif Aliev, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that the defence plans to appeal against the verdict.

Bakhtiyar Gadjiev, the defender of Mustafaev, also announced his intention to lodge an appeal.

"My client committed no crime; he only pointed out the place where the 'Bail Market' was – the place, where the meeting with the late Rasim Aliev had been scheduled," Bakhtiyar Gadjiev told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Advocates of the remaining three defendants also intend to lodge appeals.

Mamedali Aliev, the father of the slain journalist, has expressed his disagreement with the verdict.

"We are dissatisfied with the fact that doctors remain out of liability. Should they have timely and properly diagnosed him and made a surgery, Rasim would have been alive," the father told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

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