Azerbaijani Ombudsman asks the court not to imprison young bloggers

Elmira Suleimanova, Ombudsperson of Azerbaijan has addressed the Sabail District Court of Baku in the context of the end of investigation of the case of young bloggers Adnan Gadjizade and Emin Milli and arrival of the materials to the court.

"Because of the received numerous appeals" Ms Suleimanova asks the court to make use of some alternative punishment, not entailing imprisonment, as stated in the message of the Ombudsman's office that arrived to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent. The Ombudsperson thinks that the young men's earlier non-attraction to criminal liability can be a mitigating circumstance.

Messrs Milli and Gadjizade are accused under Articles 127 ("Inflicting a minor damage to one's health") and 221 ("Hooliganism"). The maximum punishment under the former article is 2 years, and under the latter one - 5 years of imprisonment. However, these articles envision also punishments, other than imprisonment, in particular, corrective works for up to 2 years. Besides, the judge can adjudge a conditional imprisonment.

Emin Guseinov, director of the Institute of Reporters Freedom and Safety (IRFS), said in his comments on the Ombudsperson's initiative that his estimate of personal Suleimanova's efforts was positive; however, on the other hand, the Ombudsperson, while asking the court about lenient punishments, actually breaks the young men's presumption of innocence, by presupposing their guilt. "In fact, the court can theoretically pass an acquitting verdict," said Mr Guseinov.

In its turn, the Institute of Media Rights (IMR) has called the authorities of Azerbaijan to release young bloggers Emin Milli and Adnan Gadjizade. "The IMR finds the arrest and bringing of Emin Milli and Adnan Gadjizade to court on forged charges a serious suppression of the freedom of expression in Azerbaijan," runs the IMR's statement.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, September 2, the organization "Friends of Azerbaijan" held a protest action in London in front of the embassy of Azerbaijan with a demand to set the young bloggers free. One of the protesters told the "Turan" Agency that the participants of the action spread leaflets with the details of the bloggers' case among townspeople. The resolution of the rally was delivered to the embassy.