Azerbaijani journalist Afghan Sadygov accused of defamation

The head of the Jalilabad District of Azerbaijan has filed a lawsuit on defamation against journalist Afghan Sadygov, already sentenced for disorderly conduct. This was reported by advocate Elchin Sadygov.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Afghan Sadygov, a founder and an editor of the social and political website of the "Azel.tv", was sentenced to two and a half years of imprisonment on the charge of disorderly conduct. Family members of Afghan Sadygov called his prosecution a punishment for criticizing the authorities of the Jalilabad District.

Today, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent has been informed by advocate Elchin Sadygov that the head of the executive power of the Jalilabad District has filed a private lawsuit against Afghan Sadygov under Article 147.2 (defamation on committing a grave crime) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan.

"Till present, it is unclear what publications have provoked the claims from the head of the Jalilabad District," explained the advocate.

He has emphasized that he treats the lawsuit filed by the Jalilabad District head against the journalist as unreasonable. "There are precedent decisions of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), which mention the inadmissibility of criminal punishment in EU member states and, moreover, imprisonment for defamation. Meanwhile, Article 147.2 provides for punishment of up to 3 years of imprisonment," noted Elchin Sadygov.

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