15:33, 12 January 2018

In Azerbaijan, journalist Afghan Mukhtarly sentenced to six years of imprisonment

Afghan Mukhtarly near the building of the court in Baku. May 31, 2017. Photo by REUTERS/Aziz Karimov

The Balaken District Court of Azerbaijan has found journalist Afghan Mukhtarly guilty of illegal crossing the border, smuggling and rendering resistance to a public official, reported his advocate.

Today, at a court hearing, public prosecutor has asked the court to sentence Afghan Mukhtarly to 8 years of imprisonment. The defence requested the court to justify the journalist. Afghan Mukhtarly himself claimed being prosecuted for political reasons.

On May 30, 2017, journalist Afghan Mukhtarly, who left for Georgia in 2014, reported that he was kidnapped and brought to Baku. The European Parliament called on the Azerbaijani authorities to release the journalist. The international human rights organization "Amnesty International" (AI) recognized him as a "prisoner of conscience."

Advocate Nemat Kerimli has added that members of the Afghan Mukhtarly's support group took the verdict with a roar of indignation and started singing the anthem of Azerbaijan in the courtroom.

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

Author: Faik Medjid

Source: CK correspondent