Azerbaijan, Baku / Тrend corr S. Ilhamgizi / The Azerbaijani Karabakh Liberation Organization (KLO) regards the arrest of Ganimat Zahid, the editor-in-chief of Azerbaijani Azadliq newspaper, as an infringement of the freedom of thought and the independence of journalists, the KLO says in a report released on 13 November.
According to the KLO, the arrest of the journalist has no sense and is a black mark on the international image of the country. "The people who propagate these false accusations damage Azerbaijan's interests and assist its enemies," the report says.
Zahid and his newspaper have published much information on objective public opinion, to draw the attention of the public to national problems and to release the truth on Nagorno-Karabakh, the report says.
The KLO announced it would support Zahid.
On 11 November, the Yasamal District Court in Baku sentenced Zahid to a two-month prison term on hooliganism and assault charges.
If the accusations are proven, the journalist will face 3 years in prison.
Zahid regards his arrest as persecution.