Sakit Zahidov: “The case against me is a lie and provocation!”

The trial over Sakit Zahidov, a journalist famous for his satirical poems disclosing the ruling regime in Azerbaijan, who was arrested on the 23-rd of June and charged with purchase of a large amount drugs with intent to sell, has started. The first hearing started up with irregularities and sharp critics of the imprisoned journalist. (01-SEP-2006)

Written by HRH/Shahla Ismailova on the basis of materials from Turan Information Agency, the Committee to Defend the Rights of S.Zahidov; photos – the same sources

The first hearing of Sakit Zahidov was held in the Crave Crimes Court under the chairwomanship of the judge Azer Orujov on the 29-th of August.

Imprisoning conditions
During the whole imprisonment period, S.Zahidov was able to publish 10 satirical poems in Azadlig newspaper, but Bayil prison employees increased the control to prevent the creative work of Zahidov. Both the visiting lawyer and the food, brought to the imprisoned, are carefully checked.
At the same time, Zahidov health remains in danger. He suffers from heart problems and his condition is worsened by the hot and humid air in his prison cell.

First hearings
In the beginning, the satirist read for his colleagues several poems. Then the judge prohibited journalists from making audio or video recordings of the trial, despite of the intial decision to make the trial public and recordable.

Zahidov called the charges brought against him a “lie and provocation.” He said orders for his arrest came from the top. “Representatives of the authorities said in public that it is necessary to get rid of me,” said Zahidov.  The journalist has denied all charges and claims he was arrested because of critical poems he wrote. He said that he was subjected to physical violence during his arrest, and then policeman Adil Alekperov put narcotics into his pocket.

Witnesses gave contradictory testimony. S. Zahidov´s lawyer Vugar Hasayev was able to prove the arrest protocol was written twice and that S. Zahidov´s own declaration that the drugs found on him in the police station did not belong to him is not reflected in this document.

Appeals of the Committee
The Committee to Defend the Rights of Sakit Zahidov has already appealed to the dozens of institutions with the information about Sakit Zahidov’s case as well as about kidnappings and violent attacks on figures from Azerbaijan´s media, their imprisonment on fictitious charges and the current situation of the country´s media.

Among the most recent appeals are the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Prime Minister of Turkey (where Ilham Aliyev is currently with his official trip), Turkish Eembassy in Baku. The similar appeal was sent to the Ukrainian President Victor Yushenko, who will soon make an official visit to Azerbaijan.

According to Committee Chairperson Emin Huseynov (on the right), even though the committee sent an appeal to Court Rights Board head Fikret Mammadov regarding Grave Crimes Court Judge Azer Orujov´s decision to forbid the use of dictaphones and other unlawful events, there is still no response. “Leaving an appeal unanswered is contrary to the country´s Constitution and “Freedom of Information” Law and the Committee will appeal to local courts and relevant international organs with regards to this issue”, said Emin Huseynov.

Representatives of the United States and British embassies and several international organizations attended the trial. The next hearing on the case will be on the 5-th of September.