Einulla Fatullaev to make final speech on July 2

The journalist Einulla Fatullaev charged with illegal storage of drugs and already serving his term in prison, is to make a final speech at the trial in Garadak district court of Baku on July 2. The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports that this decision has been taken by judge Ismail Khalilov upon the results of the today's session.

For reference, on June 30, during the morning session the state prosecutor Elchin Nagiev called on the court to find Fatullaev guilty under article 234.1 (illegal storage of drugs) and to sentence the journalist to three more years of prison to be served at a high security colony.

However, Isakhan Ashurov and Elchin Sadygov, the journalist's lawyers who spoke after the break called on the judge to acquit their defendant.

Ashurov claimed that the prosecutor's speech was openly biased. "He avoided mentioning the aspects characterizing the Fatullaev's personality as a well-known journalist, publisher and chief editor of popular newspapers, winner of exclusive international prizes. Additionally, the prosecutor's speech has failed to reflect the ruling of the European Court on recognizing the previous court rulings with regard to Fatullaev illegal. The prosecutor tried to show Einulla Fatullaev as a drug addict. Einulla is not a drug addict and has never used drugs", said the lawyer.

The lawyer further noted that no independent expert study had been made during preliminary investigation or at the trial. The issue of how the drugs had been brought to the colony and planted on Fatullaev had never been investigated. Convicts, who were dependent on the prison administration, were summoned as witnesses, noted Ashurov.