Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec.9
By Seba Aghayeva - Trend:
No one is arrested for the professional journalism activity and political views in Azerbaijan, where the fundamental rights and freedoms are ensured, acting spokesperson of Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry Hikmet Hajiyev told Trend on Dec.9.
He was commenting on the statement made by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjorn Jagland on the arrest of the employee of radio Azadlig (Freedom), Khadija Ismayilova.
In his statement made on Dec.9, Jagland expressed concern over the two-month arrest of Ismayilova and urged Azerbaijani authorities to release her.
"The court issued a decision on a preventive measure in the form of arrest of Khadija Ismayilova in accordance with the legal procedures and the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan," Hajiyev said.
"Currently, the investigation is underway. Therefore, it is not right to express any opinion before the completion of the investigation and without the court's decision," said Hajiyev.
A criminal case has been initiated against Ismayilova on the fact of inciting the former correspondent of radio Azadlig and Meydan TV Tural Mustafayev to suicide, Azerbaijan's Prosecutor General's Office earlier said.
The criminal case was initiated at Baku City Sabail District Prosecutor's Office on the fact under the Article 125 (incitement to suicide) of the Criminal Code.
Tural Mustafayev took zinc oxide, which is harmful to the human body, and attempted to commit suicide in the Seaside National Park on Oct.20, according to the General Prosecutor's Office.
Ismayilova was involved in the investigation as a suspected person and Baku City Sabail District Court issued a decision on a preventive measure in the form of arrest against her.
Edited by SI
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