Case against Azerbaijani blogger Mekhman Guseinov returned to BCA

The defence of Mekhman Guseinov does not agree with the decision pronounced by the Supreme Court (SC) of Azerbaijan to return the case to the Baku Court of Appeal (BCA). According to the defence, the only legitimate decision is to justify the blogger.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Mekhman Guseinov was sentenced to two years of imprisonment on the charge of defamation.

Today, the cassation appeal against the verdict pronounced by the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan has been considered by the trial chaired by Judge Ali Seifaliev, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports from the courtroom.

While presenting the cassation appeal, advocate Fuad Agaev noted that the lower court instances had failed to grant the key motions of the defence.

"The Supreme Court should pronounce the only correct legitimate decision to close the criminal case on justifiable grounds and to release Mekhman Guseinov," stated Fuad Agaev.

"Mekhman Guseinov was subjected to torture. Photos with signs of violence prove that. We brought a shirt with blood stains to the Baku Prosecutor's Office, but they failed to objectively investigate our complaint," noted Elchin Sadygov, another advocate.

After the consultations, Judge Ali Seifaliev pronounced the decision. The Supreme Court decided to return the case for reconsideration to the Baku Court of Appeal.

Advocate Elchin Sadygov told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that the defence does not agree with the decision pronounced by the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan.

"The higher court instance has just partially granted the complaint by recognizing the violation of the Mekhman Guseinov's rights. We are satisfied with that. However, in general, we are not satisfied with the Court's decision, since we insisted on a verdict of acquittal," said Elchin Sadygov.

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