In Azerbaijan, head of the Talysh Cultural Centre sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment

Today, the Azerbaijani Court for Grave Crimes, presided by Judge Shakir Aleskerov, has put a full stop in the process of Novruzali Mamedov, head of the Talysh Cultural Centre and editor-in-chief of the "Tolyshi Sado" (Talysh's Voice) newspaper, and Elman Guliev, executive secretary of the newspaper, who were accused of treason against the State.

In spite of the fact that the verdict announcement had been appointed to 3:00 p.m. local time, the verdict was announced by the judge in the morning, without the presence of defendants' advocates and relatives, and also without journalists.

The court has informed that both defendants were found guilty under Article 274 of the Criminal Code ("Treason against the State") and sentenced as follows: Mamedov to 10 years of imprisonment (without property confiscation) and Guliev - to 6 years of imprisonment (without property confiscation). Both will serve their terms at a strict custody colony.

Ramiz Mamedov, Novruzali Mamedov's advocate, has informed the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that, according to the legislation, the verdict should be announced publicly. He treated "the secret verdict announcement to be another proof of the forged character of the case."