Aziz Orujov's sentence upheld

The Supreme Court of Azerbaijan dismissed the cassation appeal of Aziz Orujov, head of the online television channel Kanal-13.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," Aziz Orujov, accused of illegal construction, was sentenced to two years in prison on February 26. The defense appealed the verdict. On May 12, the Baku Court of Appeal upheld the verdict.

On November 13, the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan, chaired by Judge Ilkin Rajabov, heard Aziz Orujov's cassation appeal against the verdict.

The defense requested Orujov's acquittal, but the cassation appeal was dismissed, relatives of the journalist told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"The charge of 'illegal construction' of a private home was devoid of legal basis. Because in that area, state authorities don't issue title deeds for land. On the other hand, Orujov purchased the plot from the previous owner using a notarized sales contract. He installed utilities, using official utility services. Therefore, the accusation of unauthorized construction is unfounded. Furthermore, even if we assume Orujov violated the law, Azerbaijani judicial practice does not impose prison sentences for such acts. Unfortunately, higher courts did not reduce Orujov's sentence. The Supreme Court didn't even consider the fact that he only had two weeks left on his sentence. "Earlier, two months before the end of his sentence, he was denied parole," said Fakhraddin Mehdiyev, the lawyer representing Orujov.

An employee of the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan confirmed the outcome of Orujov's appeal.

Representatives of the prosecution were unavailable for comment.