“The right to defense of those arrested in the “AbzasMedia case” is violated” |

Elchin Sadigov says that the complaints about the issue have been unsuccessful

It is reported that the right of defense of all persons arrested in the “AbzasMedia case” was violated and copies of the video materials included in the criminal case were illegally provided to the defense.

Elchin Sadigov, a lawyer who defends the rights of the editor-in-chief of “AbzasMedia” Sevinj Vagifgizi, said about this.

“Copies of documents and video materials are not provided in full. This complicates the work of the defense side. They should be given because these materials are being used as evidence in the case,” he said. – the lawyer said.

Elchin Sadigov noted that although a complaint was made about the issue, there was no result.

On September 10, the accused persons were informed that the preliminary investigation was completed. After that, the process of familiarizing the accused persons and lawyers with the case materials has started, and after the completion of this process, the arrested persons will be brought to court.

In November 2023 – January 2024, six journalists and media workers (Ulvi Hasanli, Sevinj Vagifgizi, Nargiz Absalamova, Hafiz Babaly, Elnara Gasimova, Muhammad Kekalov) were arrested in the case of “AbzasMedia”. Later, economist Farid Mehralizade was also arrested in this case.

First, all of them were charged with Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code (Smuggling, when committed by a group of persons who colluded in advance).

Later, on August 16 and 19, more serious charges were brought against the journalists – 192.3.2 of the Criminal Code (illegal entrepreneurship, when committed by obtaining a large amount of income), 193-1.3.1 and 193-1.3.2 (acquired by crime legalization of property, when committed by a group of persons who colluded in advance), 206.4 (smuggling, when committed by an organized gang), 320.1 and 320.2 (falsification of documents and use of forged documents), 213.2.1 (tax evasion, when committed by an organized gang) accusations have been made.

These charges are punishable by up to 12 years in prison.

Journalists deny all accusations and report that they are being persecuted for investigating corruption.

Human rights defenders identified all the accused as political prisoners.