18:59, 18 September 2018

Azerbaijani SC upholds verdict to journalist Afghan Mukhtarly

A poster at the protest action in support of Afghan Mukhtarly held in Tbilisi. Photo REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili

The Supreme Court (SC) of Azerbaijan has dismissed a cassation appeal filed by Afghan Mukhtarly, sentenced for six years of imprisonment. The journalist's defenders intend to apply to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Afghan Mukhtarly is accused of illegal border crossing, smuggling, and rendering resistance to a public official. On April 24, in Azerbaijan, the Court of Appeal upheld the verdict.

On May 30, journalist Afghan Mukhtarly, who left for Georgia in 2014, reported that he had been kidnapped and taken to Baku.

The journalist himself did not take part in the trial, reported Samir Asadli, a member of the public group supporting Afghan Mukhtarly, a coordinator of the movement "Nida".

Afghan Mukhtarly associated his persecution with his investigations into corruption in Azerbaijan. The human rights organization "Amnesty International" (AI) recognized him as a "prisoner of conscience." Afghan Mukhtarly is also included in the list of political prisoners in Azerbaijan.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on September 18, 2018 at 12:46 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Author: Faik Medjid

Source: CK correspondent