Azerbaijan, Baku / Trend corr. S.Ilhamgizi / A collection was started for funds to release the editor-in-chief of the Azerbaijani newspaper Azadlig, Ganimat Zahid, on bail.
On the evening of 11 November, Zahid was called to Yasamal District Court in Baku and was detained as a suspect. He faces hooliganism and assault charges. Zahid is currently being held in a preliminary detention cell. On 12 November, Yasamal District Court sentenced him to a two month prison term.
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Eight journalists are detained in prison in Azerbaijan.
Commenting the arrest of the editor-in chief, the Azerbaijani Internal Ministry's press-secretary, Khazar Ibrahim, said that journalists must take responsibility for their activities within the bounds of the law.
International organizations including the United States State Department expressed alarm due to arrest of Zahid and seven other journalists.
Zahid's lawyers will appeal to the Yasamal District Court on 15 November for release of the defendant on bail.