His lawyer is not allowed to meet and talk with Muhammed Kekalov
“I am informed that he has another lawyer”
Social activist Mahammad Kekalova is not allowed to meet with her lawyer, it is said that she has another lawyer.
This was reported by Rovshana Rahimli, the lawyer of the social activist.
According to him, he last called 102 about Muhammed Kekalov at 01:52 at night. He asked them to re-register his complaint:
“Today, the head of the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Elshad Hajiyev, told me that he was brought to criminal responsibility and that he has another lawyer. However, I am his lawyer and I have officially informed the relevant institutions about this.”
Social activist Mahammad Kekalov was taken away from his home by plainclothes police officers on November 20. His lawyer and family could not get information from him for two days. It is believed that he was tortured.
On November 22, the spokesman of the Ministry of Interior Elshad Hajiyev Meydan to TV He said that Mohammad Kekalov has been brought to justice. However, he did not answer the question about his whereabouts and what criminal case he is being held responsible for.
Rovshana Rahimli says that the family signed a contract with Muhammed Kekalov to protect his rights:
“After talking with Elshad Hajiyev, I contacted my client’s family again. They do not know about the issue of a new lawyer.”
It was not possible to get a statement from the Ministry of Internal Affairs regarding the lawyer’s statements.
On November 20, the director of “AbzasMedia” Ulvi Hasanli was detained. 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code against him. (smuggling by a group of persons who colluded in advance) was charged.
A day later, on November 21, the editor-in-chief of “AbzasMedia” Sevinj Vagifqizi was detained at the airport while returning to Azerbaijan. The same accusation was made against him. The house of both was searched, as well as the office of “AbzasMedia”. It was claimed that 40,000 euros were found in the office of the media institution.
Sevinj Vagifqizi said in his statement that it is impossible to have 40,000 euros in the office, if they find it there, they can only find a pot of delicious food.
Ulvi Hasanli and Sevinj Vagifgizi were arrested for 4 months by the decision of the Khatai District Court on November 21. They are guilty of bringing money into the country illegally. If they are found guilty, they face up to eight years in prison under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan.
Both of them deny this charge, stating that their arrests were related to their professional activities.
International organizations also appealed to the Azerbaijani authorities and asked them to stop the pressure against the free media. They called what happened as “revenge” against the media.