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Azerbaijani Azadlig Newspaper to be Guarantor for Release of Arrested Chief Editor

Society Materials 16 November 2007 18:32 (UTC +04:00)

Azerbaijan, Baku / Trend corr. K.Zarbaliyeva / The Azerbaijani Azadlig newspaper will stand guarantor in court for releasing of the arrested chief editor, Elchin Sadigli, Zahid's lawyer, said to Trend news agency on 16 November.

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.

About AZN 11,000 is necessary to release the arrested chief editor of the Azerbaijani Azadlig newspaper, Ganimat Zahid, the lawyer Elchin Sadigli, said.

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.

Zahid appreciates his arrest as the provocation directed against him.

Presently, eight journalists are being detained in prison in Azerbaijan due to slander.

Zahid's brother a partner of Azadlig newspaper, Mirza Sakit, was arrested in 2006 for illegal possession, purchase and transport of drugs.

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