Wife of imprisoned Azerbaijani journalist treats ECtHR's decision as belated

The decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) fails to impose obligations on Azerbaijani authorities to release Seimur Khazi; it only provides for compensation in the amount of 14,500 euros, the journalist's advocate has stated. The ECtHR has passed its decision, when Khazi has less than 9 months till the end of his prison term, said his wife.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in January 2015, Seimur Khazi, an observer of the oppositional newspaper "Azadlyg" (Freedom), was sentenced to five years in prison on charges of beating up in 2014 a stranger named Magerram Gasanov, who was later sentenced to six months in prison for the same incident.

The ECtHR has acknowledged the violation of Khazi's rights and appointed him monetary compensation in the amount of 14,500 euros; the information was posted on the website of the ECtHR on December 6. The complaint against Mr Khazi's arrest was submitted in August 2014.

The advocate Shakhla Gumbatova has expressed satisfaction with the ECtHR's decision, although it does not oblige the government to release the journalist from prison. "The court has recognized the illegality of Seimur Khazi's pre-trial detention; however, since it is impossible to eliminate this violation, as the pre-trial arrest was over, the ECtHR decided to appoint compensation," Ms Gumbatova told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Also, the ECtHR has begun its communication on the second journalist's complaint, on the merits of the criminal case. According to the advocate, the second decision of the ECtHR may contain a direct demand to release the journalist from custody.

In her turn, Nigyar Khazi, Seimur's wife, has treated the ECtHR's decision as "belated." "Unfortunately, the ECtHR has only partially restored justice. Nine months remain until the end of his prison term; and only now the ECtHR has recognizes the illegality of his arrest. When the second decision will be made, is not yet known," Mrs Khazi told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on December 7, 2018 at 03:57 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.