Being the target of numerous trials and attacks for last weeks, the “Realniy Azerbaijan” started to loose real resource – the editor-in-chief Eynulla Fatullayev, one of the most outspoken journalists of Azerbaijan, was sentenced to 2.5 years of imprisonment on accusations of insult and libel. For last year he repeatedly received threats for his frequent criticism of Azerbaijani officials and for exposing instances of government corruption, but did not change his policy even after the kidnap of his father when he had to stop his activity for several months. (23-APR-07)
Written by Shahla Ismailova/HRH Baku on the basis of materials from Turan Information Agency, Institute of Reporters’ Freedom and Safety, Yeni Musavat Newspaper; photos from Turan, Yeni Musavat
On April 20, Yasamal District Court in Baku convicted Fatullayev, the outspoken editor-in-chief of the independent Realniy Azerbaijan and Gundelik Azerbaijan newspapers, for having committed “criminal libel” and “insult.” The charges were based on an internet posting that the prosecution attributed to him, which blamed Azerbaijanis for a 1992 massacre in Nagorno-Karabakh. Fatullayev denied writing the posting, but was sentenced to 30 months in prison.
Fatullayev is the fifth journalist to be imprisoned in Azerbaijan in the last 10 months.
Background
Eynulla Fatullayev used to work for the controversial opposition newspaper Monitor, which closed after its editor Elmar Huseynov was shot dead in March 2005. His murder remains unsolved to this day. From 2003 up to the date of arrest Eynulla Fatullayev was repeatedly exposed to beatings, attacks, life threats and intimidation.
Realny Azerbaijan is the successor of the opposition weekly Monitor, which was shut down after the March 2005 contract-style assassination of Huseynov. Like its predecessor, Realny Azerbaijan is known for its critical reporting against the government officials. It has about 30 thousand readers.
Attack on expert of Realny Azerbaijan
On the same night, the night of April 20, Realny Azerbaycan Newspaper military expert Uzeyir Jafarov (on the right) was brutally attacked in his newspaper´s editorial office. Jafarov was struck twice in the head and once in the mouth with metal objects. His attackers also sought to stab the him, however other employees from Realny Azerbaycan prevented this. Jafarov was taken to the hospital, where he received several stitches. At this time he remains hospitalized in serious condition. He says that he knows one of the two men who attacked him. The athletically-built attacker reportedly participated in Fatuallyev´s court hearing.
