Azerbaijan, Baku / Trend corr. К.Zarbaliyeva / Sabayil and Yasamal Districts Court refused to consider journalists' lawsuit.
Rovshan Kabirli and Yashar Agazadeh, the contributors of the Mukhalifat newspaper, who are being kept in the Investigation cell 1 of the Penal Service at the Azerbaijani Justice Ministry, stated about violation of their rights in the lawsuit.
Press representatives complain due to torture and pressure. The square of the prison cell is 40 square metres, the Right of Media Institute reported in 27 April.
Journalists said that 30 prisoners have been kept in one cell; prisoners have to sleep on 22 beds by turns. Heat, closeness and cigarette smoke make cell unbearable. Lavatory pan and table are close to each other. Furthermore, there are not conditions for tete-a-tete meetings with lawyers.
By the resolution of Yasamal District Court the lawsuit against the Justice Ministry was canceled. The Court considered that journalist should complain against the leadership of the investigation cell, rather than against the Justice Ministry.
Rashid Hajili, the lawyer of detained journalists, said that the Court must consider the lawsuit of detained within three days and to make decision without delay.
Yasamal District Court made serious processional mistakes. Consideration of the lawsuit has been prolonged and the resolution passed instead of decision on the lawsuit.
The lawsuit was instituted against the Investigation cell 1 at the Justice Ministry due to violation of rights. The plaintiffs demand AZN 100,000 for moral damage.
An MP of Azerbaijani Parliament, Jalal Aliyev, initiated a lawsuit against Kabirli and Aghazadeh for an article published in the Mukhalifat. According to the MP, the article of 'A.M.A.Y. - Trademark of Aliyevs family' published on 24 February and 3 March insulted his honour and dignity. By the decision of the Yasamal District Court Kabirli and Aghazadeh were returned guilty in compliance with Articles 147.1 and 147.2 of the Criminal Code. They were sentenced to 2 year and 6 months of imprisonment.
Presently, journalists are kept in Bayil investigation cell1.
Seven Azerbaijani journalists are kept in prison. The appeal to pardon them has been submitted to the Azerbaijani President.