In Azerbaijan, court rejects journalist Halil's suit against inspector and TV Channels

Today, the Yasamal District Court of Baku, Azerbaijan, presided by Judge Khagani Tagiev, finalized the litigation on the suit of journalist Agil Halil of the "Azadlyg" (Freedom) newspaper to Ali Guliev, inspector of the Investigatory Department for Grave Crimes of the State Office of Public Prosecutor and TV Channels AzTV, Lider, Space and ATV.

The suit was lodged in connection with demonstration by above TV Channels of the video clip prepared by the Investigatory Group of the State Office of Public Prosecutor. The clip spoke about Halil's links with homosexuals, one of whom - Sergey Strekalin - had allegedly knifed Halil on March 13 this year. The video clip rejected any political context of the attack on the journalist.

In the course of the trial, inspector Ali Guliev has again stated the groundlessness of the suit. As he said, the clip was prepared for informing the population because of "the great public resonance" of this case. Representatives of the three private TV Channels also rejected the suit, while the state-owned AzTV Channel failed to send their representative to the trial.

However, Elchin Sadygov, journalist's advocate, kept asserting the illegality of demonstrating the clip on TV, compiled of the materials of investigation, in particular, of Halil's evidences, since the filming was made secretly.

Despite the advocate's arguments, the judge has rejected the journalist's suit.

In his claim, Mr Halil demanded that the respondents should apologize, pay moral compensation at a rate of 100,000 manats (120,000 US dollars) each, and provide time on television for response.