At trial of editor-in-chief of "Tolyshi Sado", main prosecution witness confirms earlier evidence

On March 6, the Baku Court of Grave Crimes, where the case of Hilal Mamedov, the editor-in-chief of the newspaper "Tolyshi Sado", is considered, heard the evidence of Elman Guliev, the main prosecution's witness. The session was closed for public; therefore, the defendant is still refusing to evidence in protest against it.

Guliev had been an accused person in the case of the previous editor-in-chief of "Tolyshi Sado" Novruzali Mamedov. According to the lawyer Bagirov, Guliev gave evidence against Mamedov last June when in prison. But now he is at large after serving his full term; and he confirmed his earlier statements made during the investigation.

"But, interestingly, during the trial of Novruzali Mamedov, Elman Guliev had generally denied his acquaintance with Hilal Mamedov. Now, however, he claims that in 2006 he met Hilal Mamedov and talking to him in a tea-house for five hours," the lawyer Bagirov retold the witness.

So far, no Guliev's comments are available. The General Prosecutor's Office has also refused to comment on the course of the trial.