In Azerbaijan, trial of attack on Halil to be held with participation of the suffered journalist

On June 24, the Nasiminskiy District Court of the capital of Azerbaijan, presided by Judge Shakhin Abdullaev, has continued the trial of Sergey Strekalin, accused of giving a knife wound on March 13, 2008, to Agil Halil, employee of the "Azadlyg" (Freedom). The judge has ruled that the victim should take part in the trial.

Strekalin is charged under Articles 127.1 ("Deliberate causing of minor health damage") and 234.1 ("Drug dealing and storing").

At the beginning of the session, Judge Abdullaev has asked the state prosecutor Eldar Gamzaev, whether the personal participation of the victim in the process is necessary. The prosecutor answered that Halil's presence was mandatory, since during the preliminary investigation he had given "contradictory evidences" and as a whole "it is important for objective investigation of the case."

In his turn, Elchin Sadygov, Halil's advocate, has declared that the journalist was not going to participate in the process, since "he was wounded not by Strekalin."

However, the Judge has ruled that the suffered Halil should appear at the trial.

The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent informs that the Judge has appointed the continuation of the proceeding on 10:30 a.m. on July 1.