Editor's note: Azerbaijani official's comments were added in the article
Azerbaijan, Baku, July 16 / Trend U.Sadikhova /
The case on appeal of former chief editor of the Daily Azerbaijan and Real Azerbaijan newspapers Eynulla Fatullayev was transferred to the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), Azerbaijani Government's Plenipotentiary Representative at the European Court Chingiz Asgarov told journalists today.
The ECHR announced its decision regarding Fattulayev's appeal on its website April 22. The court demanded the jouirnalist's immediate release.
According to the requirements of Article 43 of the European Convention on Human Rights, either party may, in exceptional cases, request the case be referred to the Grand Chamber before the expiration of three months after the decision, Asgarov said.
The Azerbaijani side is dissatisfied with the ECHr's decision and therefore appealed to the Grand Chamber, he added.
Based on the Convention's requirements, the Grand Chamber Commission of five judges will review the request and decide on the advisability of reviewing the case, Asgarov said.
"If Azerbaijan's complaint is adopted, the Grand Chamber will review the case" Asgarov added.
Fatullayev was arrested April 20, 2007 and sentenced to 8.5 years. He was accused of calling for terrorism, inciting ethnic hatred and tax evasion.
In December 2009, about 0.223 grams of heroin was found in Fatullayev's shoes and jacket.
A criminal case was filed under Article 234.1 (illegal purchase or storage narcotics or psychotropic substances in quantities exceeding necessary for personal consumption without the intent to sell) of the Criminal Code.
The Court sentenced Fatullayev to additional 2.6 years.
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