In Azerbaijan, journalist Zulfugarly sentenced to five months in prison

In Azerbaijan, the court charged Makhbuba Zulfugarly, an activist and a journalist, of defamation. He was sentenced at a claim of a local official, human rights defenders report.

"Makhbuba Zulfugarly was sentenced at a claim filed by an official from the Imishli Regional Department for Trials and Certification of the State Committee for Standardization, Metrology and Patents. The activist published articles in various media, in which he stated that contrary to legislation, the official carried out entrepreneurial activities and that he owned palaces for celebrations, a sugar factory and large land areas. The official filed a lawsuit against Makhbuba Zulfugarly to bring him to criminal liability under article on defamation," said Ogtai Gyulyalyev, the leader of the public alliance "Azerbaijan without Political Prisoners".

He has noted that Makhbuba Zulfugarly was "sentenced without an advocate." Meanwhile, his relatives "are not aware, because of what publications he was brought to criminal liability."

Ogtai Gyulyalyev has also added that earlier, Makhbuba Zulfugarly had been subjected to pressure because of his civil activities, in particular, for protecting the rights of local residents affected by the devastating floods on the Kura River in the spring of 2010."

In his turn, advocate Elchin Sadygov has said that he will protect the Makhbuba Zulfugarly's rights.

Emil Mamedov, the leader of the regional NGO "Promoting Democracy", has treated the verdict pronounced against Makhbuba Zulfugarly as "ordered."

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