Azerbaijan, Baku / Trend corr. К.Zarbaliyeva / About AZN 11,000 is necessary to release the editor-in-chief of the Azerbaijani newspaper Azadlig, Ganimat Zahid, lawyer Elchin Sadigli, said.
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.
According to Zahid, he was not put under pressure and he had no claims against prison conditions.
An appeal is being raised to submit to court for the release of the editor-in-chief on bail. The sum of the bail is determined by the court and the sum must not be less than AZN 11,000.
Zahid's lawyers appealed against the decision of Yasamal District Court. The appeal will be considered by the Baku Appeal Court.
International organizations including the United States State Department expressed alarm due to arrest of Zahid and seven other journalists.
Zahid appreciates his arrest as provocation directed against him.
Eight journalists are being detained in prison in Azerbaijan.
Zahid's brother a partner of the newspaper Azadlig, Mirza Sakit, was arrested in 2006 for illegal possession, purchase and transport of drugs.