The decision of the Yasamal District Court to sentence freelance journalist Zumrud Mammadova to six months of corrective labour was also overruled.
On 7 April, on the basis of a lawsuit of Azerbaijan International University (AIU) Director Elshad Abdullayev, the Yasamal District Court sentenced the Tezadlar newspaper editor in chief to one year of imprisonment for defamation. This lawsuit, which was based on articles 147 and 148 of Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code on defamation and libel, stems from the article “Is Mahir Abdullayev in Baku?” published in the 19-26 2008 edition of the newspaper and a series of articles related to this topic. In the lawsuit, Abdullayev sought the closure of Tezadlar newspaper, the arrest of both journalists and the institution of a 30,000 AZN fine against the journalists for moral damages.
According to the Media Rights Institute and Institute of Reporters` Freedom and Safety, judge Gail Mammadov of the Appellate Court issued a special decision to give the judge Abbas Rzayev, who considered the case against Marzili, a harsh reprimand and to give judge Tahir Ismayilov, who issued an arrest warrant for Marzili, a reprimand. The special decision will be sent to the Court Law Council to be considered and the Council will evaluate it.
We also welcome the release of Azadlig newspaper’s satiric journalist Sakit Zahidov on 9 April. Sakit Zahidov was freed after an amnesty act after two years and nine months of imprisonment.
