Written by Shahla Ismailova/ HRH Baku on the basis of information from TURAN Information Agency, Yeni Musavat newspaper, Azadlig newspaper, the Committee to Defend the Rights of Sakit Zahidov, the Institute for Reporter Freedom and Safety; photo from Turan Information Agency

On the 3-rd of October 2006, the satiric journalist Sakit Zahidov, made his final statement in the court. Zahidov has been well known in the society for his sharp critics against the Aliyev regime and his case, decorated under the drug-dealt case, has been recognized by the national and international human rights defenders as a political order. The full text of his final statement is given below. (06-OCT-06)

Statement
 
Respected Mr. Judge,
Respect participants in today´s hearing,
 
The court hearing and investigation into my case I believe were preconceived and not objective.   I believe that this court is fulfilling an order of political leaders. On the basis of this order, I was illegally arrested by employees of the Interior Ministry. Through their order to arrest me, the government wanted me to not write satirical poems and articles for the press, because these confirm that Azerbaijan´s authoritarian regime really is corrupt and discloses their unpatriotic actions.
 
At the same time, through the manner in which they executed this politically motivated arrest, Azerbaijan´s political leaders attempt to disgrace me and undermine the power of my writings. In addition, through this police operation, they were hoping that I would get a long prison sentence.   The police that threw drugs in my pocket, also struck a deal with doctors from the republic´s narcotic dispensary, so that a false report would be prepared, as if I was in the first level of drug addiction. In approximately 10 minutes, by looking only at my face and not conducting any laboratory tests, the doctors concluded that I was a drug addict, although they failed to write exactly what drug I was addicted to. These types of examinations were used during the Soviet times, based on visual observations unscrupulous doctors could prepare reports in which anybody they wanted was a drug addict.
 
I tell you in all honesty, that through out my entire life I have never used drugs; the drugs that were found in my pocket were put there my Adil Alekberov, the police officer that coordinated the operation to arrest me. 
 
In this statement, I ask the court not give me a lighter sentence or forgive me for the charges that have been brought against me. I demand that it hand down a fair verdict on these false charges.
 
The government plaintiff expressed that it could not prove that I was involved in the dealing of drugs, and asked that the charges against me be changed and that I be sentenced to three years of imprisonment. I believe that as a result of pressure from local and international organizations, the government is back stepping and wants to lighten the charges against me.
 
Because of this, I want to thank the local and foreign press, local and foreign human rights advocates, and journalist organizations; they have stated that the charges against me are false and expressed their protest, and this process continues. At the same time I thank the U.S., Great Britain and German embassies in Azerbaijan, and representatives from the OSCE office in Baku for expressing their objections and keeping an eye on my case. Through my arrest, the government has been unable to stop me from writing. Everyone has seen that throughout the time I have been in prison I have continued to write my satirical poems, and I am sure that I will continue to unmask the corruptness of this regime. I am sure that sooner or later they will be forced to justify to the people the murders of Elmar Huseynov and Alim Kazimli, and the attacks on Fikret Huseynli, Bahaddin Haziyev and others. I believe that Azerbaijan´s authorities want to destroy all traces of dissidence in the country, and then the misappropriation of oil profits and the falsification of elections will become much easier.  
 
Finally, I call on all citizens of this country to carry out a peaceful struggle against the greedy Aliyev regime, for the development of democracy, freedom of expression and human rights in Azerbaijan.
 
Live on freedom,
live on democracy,
live on you fair society that was given the values of human rights!   
Down with the dictatorship!