17:16, 5 August 2017

Verdict to Azerbaijani journalist Makhbub Zulfugarly challenged

Prison bar. Photo: © Flickr/ Michael Coghlan

In Azerbaijan, the defence requests to justify journalist and activist Makhbub Zulfugarly, sentenced to five months of imprisonment on a charge of defamation. The alliance "Azerbaijan without Political Prisoners" has recognized the journalist as a political prisoner.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in July, the Imishli District Court sentenced Makhbub Zulfugarly, a local activist and freelance journalist, to 5 months of imprisonment on a defamation lawsuit filed by a local official as a private claim. Rights defenders questioned the legal validity of the charge and the verdict.

An appeal has been filed against the verdict to Makhbub Zulfugarly, and the defence requests to acquit him. This was told to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent by Ogtai Gyulyalyev, the leader of the Public Alliance "Azerbaijan without Political Prisoners".

"We have recognized Makhbub Zulfugarly as a political prisoner. He suffered for his civil activity and criticism of officials' corruption actions in the Imishli District," noted Ogtai Gyulyalyev.

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

Author: Faik Medzhid

Source: CK correspondent