Azerbaijan, Baku, Jan. 21 / Trend K.Zarbaliyeva /
The Baku Appeal Court reviewed Daily Azerbaijan and Real Azerbaijan Chief Editor Eynulla Fatullayev's appeal today and rejected the claim.
Her lawyer Anar Hashimov asked the court to postpone the hearing for a more thorough study of the case.
The court granted the petition and the process was postponed to Jan. 25.
A criminal case was filed under Article 234.1 of the Criminal Code, pertaining to the illegal purchase or storage of narcotics or psychotropic substances in quantities exceeding necessary for personal consumption without the intent to sell. About 0.223 grams of heroin were found in Fatullayev's shoes and jacket in December 2009. The Garadag District Court had sentenced Fatullayev to 2.5 years.
Fatullayev was arrested April 20, 2007 and sentenced to 8.5 years in prison. He was accused of inciting terrorism and ethnic hatred, as well as tax evasion.
The European court announced its decision regarding Fatullayev's appeal on its website on April 22. The court demanded the journalist's immediate release.