“Abzas Media” journalists complain about inhumane treatment in court

Four journalists of the “Abzas Media” outlet have refused to take part in the trial until the inhumane treatment of them stops.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on February 11, the hearing of the “Abzas Media” case was postponed due to the defendants' refusal to take part in the hearings in protest against their inhumane treatment. Farid Mekhralizade, an economist, said that he was forcibly brought to court.

"The reason for the journalists' refusal to take part in the trial is the inhumane treatment they are exposed to when they are brought to the court and in the courthouse while awaiting the hearing. They are brought to the court in different cars, overcrowded with other prisoners ... And in the courthouse, the journalists are kept in a cold basement, in separate smoke-filled rooms. All this has a negative impact on the journalists’ health," Elchin Sadygov, an advocate who is defending Gasanli's rights, has explained.

"There’s no point in isolating journalists from each other. After all, the investigation is over; and they cannot agree on anything among themselves to hinder the investigation," the advocate has added.

Namizad Safarov, a legal expert and a former member of the Azerbaijani Bar Association, has explained that, according to the law, defendants have the right to refuse to participate in the trial. "If there is no fair trial in the country ... then what is the point of participating in a staged trial?" he has asked.