Advocate reports on violation of journalist Elchin Ismayilly's rights

An advocate of Azerbaijani journalist Elchin Ismayilly has complained about being not allowed to visit his client at the SIZO (pre-trial prison). He has also claimed the unjustified requirements from the judge to change the date of a warrant for the journalist's defence.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that journalist Elchin Ismayilly, a member of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), was detained on February 17. He was accused of extortion and abuse of office. In August, the journalist was also accused of taking a bribe.

According to the advocate, the Sheki Court for Grave Crimes held a preparatory hearing on the journalist's case in "secret from the defence."

The advocate has also noted that on August 18, he went to Sheki, but "the Court refused to issue a permit for him to visit Elchin Ismayilly in the SIZO."

According to the advocate, holding a court hearing in absence of the advocate and refusing the advocate in visiting his client "are violation of the law." Sadygov intends to appeal to the judicial and legal council to request an investigation into the judge's actions and to file a complaint against the judge in the General Prosecutor's Office.

Advocate Yalchin Imanov, a legal expert, has also noted that holding a court hearing in absence of the advocate violates the defendant's right to defence guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.