Defence asks to acquit Azerbaijani journalist Elchin Ismayilly

On September 15, in Azerbaijan, at the trial in the Elchin Ismayilly's case, the defendant and his advocates delivered their final speeches. They have asked the court to pronounce the verdict of acquittal.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Elchin Ismayilly, a journalist and a member of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA) is accused of extortion, abuse of office and bribery. The journalist was arrested for criticizing the authorities in the Internet media and social networks, the lawyer said.

"We and my colleague Islam Ismayilov asked the court to acquit Elchin Ismayilly. We noticed that Azer Abbasov, a plaintiff, the chief of the Department for Tourism and Culture in the Ismayilly District, claimed Elchin Ismayilly was extorting money from him. In fact, they knew each other for a long period of time. For several times, Azer Abbasov offered Elchin Ismayilly money as material support. When the journalist agreed, everything was arranged as acceptance of a bribe not to write critical publications about the district authorities," advocate Elchin Sadygov told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

The pronouncement of the verdict to Elchin Ismayilly is scheduled for September 18.

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