Azerbaijan, Baku, 8 July / corr. Trend E.Babayev / Appeal for pardon of journalists, who are in prison, will be submitted to the Azerbaijani President soon, Aflatun Amashov, the chairman of the Press Council, told Trend on 8 July.
Three journalists are serving punishment of different terms in Azerbaijan.
Eynulla Fatullayev, editor-in-chief of Realniy Azerbaijan and Gundelik Azerbaijan newspapers, was charged with terrorism, exciting national, racial or religious hostility through using his position and tax evasion. He was sentenced to eight and half-year in imprisonment.
Ganimat Zahid, editor-in-chief of Azadlig newspaper, was charged with inflicting intended less grievous injury to human health and hooliganism. The court sentenced him to four-year imprisonment. Mirza Sakit, an employee of this newspaper, is also serving his punishment.
According to Amashov, appeal for pardoning of journalists on the occasion of Azerbaijani National Press Day (22 July) has been developed.
"We believe that the head of state will assist in release of journalists and pardon them," Amashov said.
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