Azerbaijan: journalist Mirkadirov, accused of treason, decides to testify

In Azerbaijan, the journalist Rauf Mirkadirov, arrested on charges of treason, has decided to testify to investigators. Earlier, he refused doing it, treating the accusation of spying in favour of Armenia as an absurd one, said his advocate. According to the lawyer, Mirkadirov decided to clarify some aspects of his criminal case. The defence is preparing a respective request to investigators.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Mirkadirov was detained on April 18 this year in Turkey and deported to Baku. On April 21, a Baku court sanctioned his arrest for three months. His colleagues are sure that his prosecution has to do with his professional activities.

"Now, I can't present this information. But, perhaps, after Rauf Mirkadirov testifies, we hope, without getting beyond the secrecy of investigation, to inform the public about it," said Elmar Suleimanov, the journalist's advocate.

According to Suleimanov, so far, investigators have presented no proofs of Mirkadirov's guilt. The defence has learnt from mass media that journalists and civil society activists are summoned as witnesses in the case.

Let us note here that in Azerbaijan trials at the stage of preliminary investigation are held behind closed doors.

See earlier reports: "EU is concerned about increased pressure on Azerbaijani activists, "Azerbaijani CoA rules to leave journalist Rauf Mirkadyrov in custody", "In Azerbaijan, defence of journalist Rauf Mirkadyrov accused of treason appeals against his arrest".