05 December 2020, 23:49
Court refuses to release Azerbaijani journalist Sadygov
Despite his grave health condition, a court in Baku has refused to transfer Afghan Sadygov, a journalist, who has been on a hunger strike for more than 30 days at the SIZO (pre-trial prison), under house arrest. The authorities had provoked Sadygov to receive a bribe, but there was no reason to accuse him under a grave criminal article, said his colleague. Khadija Ismayilova.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on November 3, Sadygov was sentenced to seven years in prison. The next day, the journalist went on a hunger strike, and on November 23 he even refused to drink water.
According to investigators, Afghan Sadygov, the editor-in-chief of the "Azel.tv", and Sakit Muradov, the head of the "Xəbərfakt.az" website, had claimed about USD 9000 from the officials under the threat of publishing incriminating information about them. Sadygov and Muradov were detained while receiving money.
"His health condition has deteriorated. He can hardly speak and move," his advocate, Elchin Sadygov, has complained.
He believes that Afghan Sadygov needs highly qualified medical care, but he is not transferred to a civilian hospital, where such care can be provided.
Khadija Ismayilova, a journalist, said that Sadygov did not give up drinking water, but he moves with difficulty.
According to her version, the charges raise two questions: "Why has another defendant (Muradov) received a conditional term for a bribe? Why is Sadygov being tried not for bribe-taking, but for racketeering?" Ms Ismayilova has asked.
She believes that the journalist (Sadygov) should not have agreed to the proposed deal, as a result of which he ended up in the prisoner's dock.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on December 5, 2020 at 00:47 am MSK. To access the full text of the article click here.
Author: Rustam Djalilov Source: CK correspondent
