Journalist Elnara Gasimova was arrested for 2 months and 17 days
The video reporter was brought before the court in handcuffs
An arrest warrant was issued for the journalist Elnara Gasimova, who was detained two days ago as a suspect in the criminal case related to the “AbzasMedia” publication. On January 15, Khatai District Court ordered 2 months and 17 days of pretrial detention for the preliminary investigation period. Judge Bakhtiyar Mammadov made the arrest decision.
Elnara Gasimova was brought before the court in handcuffs. His lawyer Bahruz Bayramov objected to this.
In his speech in court, the investigator of the Baku City General Police Department defended the presentation for the arrest of Elnara Gasimova. He said that it is important to keep him in prison during the investigation period. Because there is a possibility of avoiding the investigation and influencing the witnesses.
Lawyer Bahruz Bayramov objected to this. He said that the charge of smuggling brought against Elnara Gasimova is unfounded. According to the lawyer, the investigation can be conducted without detaining him.
Elnara Gasimova herself said that she did not commit any crime and that she was arrested by order. He stressed that the accusation of smuggling is absurd and the real reason for his arrest is his journalistic activity.
Despite the arguments of the defense side, Bakhtiyar Mammadov satisfied the presentation given for the arrest of the journalist and a preventive measure of 2 months and 17 days of detention was chosen for him.
Bahruz Bayramov told Meydan TV that an appeal will be filed against the arrest decision.
Arrests in the “AbzasMedia” case, known for its corruption investigations, began on November 20. First, the site’s director Ulvi Hasanli, deputy director Mahammad Kekalov, and editor-in-chief Sevinj Abbasova (Vagifqizi) were arrested. Later, arrests continued with investigative journalist Hafiz Babali and Nargiz Absalamova. They are also charged with Article 206.3.2 (smuggling by a group of persons) of the Criminal Code.
The sanction of this article provides for imprisonment from 5 to 8 years.
After Ulvi Hasanli was detained on November 20, the office of “AbzasMedia” was searched. It was claimed that 40,000 euros were found in the site’s office.
Ulvi Hasanli said that there was no money there, that 40,000 euros were deposited in the office by those who claimed to have found it.
None of the named journalists are guilty, they said that they were punished for investigations related to the business and corruption of a number of officials, including members of the President’s family, in “AbzasMedia”.