Azerbaijani journalist denied removal of criminal record

Mustafa Gadjibeili, a journalist, has treated the court's refusal to cancel his criminal record, which impedes his running for parliament at elections in Azerbaijan, as political.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Gadjibeili had appealed to the court asking to remove his criminal record in order to be able to take part in the parliamentary elections. The hearing was postponed until December 24. Gadjibeili believes that the protraction will restrict his chances to participate in the election campaign.

"During the court session, I drew the court's attention to the fact that my criminal prosecution was unjustified. I was actually convicted for reprinting articles from other editions. Moreover, the content thereof was within the freedom of expression. Therefore, many international organizations have condemned the verdict," Mr Gadjibeili has stated.

Elshan Gasanov, the coordinator of the "Union for Freedom of Azerbaijani Political Prisoners", treats the court's ruling as "politically motivated." He has noted that there are precedents in the history of Azerbaijan, when on the eve of elections criminal records were remove from oppositionists, and they could take part therein.

Thus, at the 2005 parliamentary elections, a group of oppositionists managed to achieve the abolition of criminal records, took part in the elections; and some were even elected MPs.