Azerbaijan, Baku, 13 March /corr. Trend S.Ilhamgizi / On 13 March, the Press Council of Azerbaijan made an appeal to the Pardon Commission, under the decree of President of Azerbaijan, with regards to the editor-in-chief of Azadlyg newspaper- Ganimat Zahid, the Chairman of the Press Council, Aflatun Amashov, reported to Trend .
The appeal says that Zahid is a well-known person, the editor-in-chief of regularly published newspaper and father of four children, therefore requests the Pardon Commission for his release.
In December 2007 the Press Council had made an appeal to the Pardon Commission with regards to other jailed journalists- Eynulla Fatullayev and Mirza Sakit as well. Therefore, the appeal deals with them as well.
"We would like the three journalists to be freed," Amashov said.
In Nov 2007, Ganimat Zahid was arrested with the accusations of hooliganism. On 7 March 2008, Baku's Yasamal Court sentenced him to four years of imprisonment. But, he does not feel guilty himself, and thus, made an appeal.
Two days ago, the Press Council appealed to the Court of Appeal with a request to consider Zahid's case fairly.