Court rejects MPH's claim against journalist

A Baku court has refused to accept the claim of the Ministry of Public Health (MPH) of Azerbaijan against the journalist, Teimur Kerimov. The MPH, being a legal entity, cannot file a lawsuit in the form of a private prosecution, the court has ruled. Now, Ogtai Shiraliev, the head of the MPH, in his private lawsuit demands to bring the journalist to justice, accusing him of slander and insult.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on May 18, 2019, Kerimov was detained during his action held outside the MPH of Azerbaijan: he protested against the paid treatment of his seriously ill mother in a state-owned hospital. Kerimov said that the police asked him about the aim of his action, assured that he would be accepted by the MPH, and the Prosecutor's Office would check his complaint about money extortion.

In his turn, Ogtai Shiraliev asserts that the journalist has slandered him by accusing him of embezzlement, bribe-taking and human death.

Ogtai Shiraliev disagrees with Kerimov's statements that the minister is abusing alcohol, dooms doctors to begging, and plays off medics with each other because of money. The minister's lawsuit will be considered on June 14, the "Massa.az" reports.

The journalist's mother passed away on June 7.