16 October 2010, 08:00
ECtHR upholds decision on immediate release of journalist Fatullaev
The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has upheld its previous verdict on immediate release of Azerbaijani journalist Einullah Fatullaev from prison.
The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was informed about it in the evening on October 15 by the journalist's advocate Elchin Sadygov, who referred to the official notification from the ECtHR about the decision of the Grand Chamber. The information about the upholding of the previous verdict of the Strasbourg Court was also confirmed by Emin Fatullaev, father of the journalist.
According to advocate Sadygov, now Fatullaev shall be released immediately. The new prison term of 2.5 years, to which he was sentenced on July 6 on charges of illegal drug possession shall be cancelled. Mr Sadygov argued that Fatullaev had already spent over 3.5 years in prison. Since this punishment was treated by the ECtHR as illegal, the sentence must be counted under the new sentence.
So far, no comments followed from the official bodies of Azerbaijan.
Author: Faik Medzhid Source: CK correspondent
