COURT CONVICTS WRONG MAN OF KNIFE ATTACK ON NEWSPAPER REPORTER
16/03/2009
Submitted by
Human Rights Center of Azerbaijan
Reporters Without Borders
Press release
Updated version
AZERBAIJAN
COURT CONVICTS WRONG MAN OF KNIFE ATTACK ON NEWSPAPER REPORTER
A court in the Baku district of Nasimi today sentenced Sergei Strekalin to 18 months in prison for a 13 March knife attack on Azadlig reporter Agil Khalil although Khalil insisted throughout the trial that Strekalin was not his assailant and that the trial had been staged with the sole aim of discrediting him, Khalil.
"We deplore the fact that the investigation into Khalil's attack led to Strekalin's conviction and that Khalil's real assailants were left alone," Reporters Without Borders said. "This entire case was nothing but a sham designed to give the impression that the attack was sex-related although Khalil recognised security ministry employees among his assailants.
Strekalin was convicted under criminal code article 127.1 (deliberate injury) and article 234.1 (possession of drugs). Khalil insisted that the investigation was not objective and that Strekalin had not attacked him. When judge Shahin Abdullayev issued his verdict today, Khalil exclaimed: "Shame on this unfair court!"
Khalil and his lawyer said they would appeal against the verdict.
Press release
Updated version
AZERBAIJAN
COURT CONVICTS WRONG MAN OF KNIFE ATTACK ON NEWSPAPER REPORTER
A court in the Baku district of Nasimi today sentenced Sergei Strekalin to 18 months in prison for a 13 March knife attack on Azadlig reporter Agil Khalil although Khalil insisted throughout the trial that Strekalin was not his assailant and that the trial had been staged with the sole aim of discrediting him, Khalil.
"We deplore the fact that the investigation into Khalil's attack led to Strekalin's conviction and that Khalil's real assailants were left alone," Reporters Without Borders said. "This entire case was nothing but a sham designed to give the impression that the attack was sex-related although Khalil recognised security ministry employees among his assailants.
Strekalin was convicted under criminal code article 127.1 (deliberate injury) and article 234.1 (possession of drugs). Khalil insisted that the investigation was not objective and that Strekalin had not attacked him. When judge Shahin Abdullayev issued his verdict today, Khalil exclaimed: "Shame on this unfair court!"
Khalil and his lawyer said they would appeal against the verdict.
