28 May 2009

Alert

Court breaks law by refusing to release journalist on health grounds


Incident details

Ill health/deteriorating health

Mushfig Huseynov, Journalist

This is available in:

English Français
(RSF/IFEX) - On 27 May 2009, a Baku court rejected a request for the release of Mushfig Huseynov, a reporter with the daily "Bizim Yol", who has had serious health problems since he was jailed in January 2008 for allegedly taking a bribe.

"Huseynov's state of health is grounds for immediate release," Reporters Without Borders said. "The law requires it. Prison conditions in Azerbaijan are appalling and do not allow detainees in a poor health to receive adequate medical attention. The judicial authorities must reconsider this decision."

Article 78 of the Criminal Code and Article 167 of the Penal Code provide for a detainee's release on medical grounds. The court's ruling nonetheless means that Huseynov will have to continue serving his sentence in a Baku prison.

Huseynov was sentenced to six years in prison on a corruption charge on 21 January 2008. He was alleged to have accepted a bribe of US$3,500 from an employee of the ministry of labour and social security.

Two other journalists are currently detained in Azerbaijan - Ganimat Zahidov of the opposition daily "Azadlig", and Eynulla Fatullayev, the editor of two dailies, "Gundelik Azerbaijan" and "Realny Azerbaijan". Sakit Zahidov of "Azadlig" was freed on 9 April after being pardoned by President Ilham Aliev.

Azerbaijan was ranked 150th out of 173 countries in the 2008 Reporters Without Borders press freedom index. President Aliev is also on the Reporters Without Borders list of "Predators of Press Freedom."

Source:

Putting free expression issues in perspective.

Sign up to receive IFEX In Context.

More on this case

Imprisoned journalist pardoned, released 29 December 2009 Health of detained journalist seriously deteriorating 4 December 2009 Baku appeal court refuses to release sick journalist from prison 22 July 2009 On one-year anniversary of journalist's arrest, IRFS reiterates concerns about investigation and process 28 July 2008 Journalist given six-year prison sentence on spurious charges, says IRFS 21 January 2008 In letter to US State Department official, IRFS warns of mounting pressure against media and increasingly dangerous work environment for journalists 5 November 2007

At a glance

Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan

IFEX members working in this country 2

 
Key reports and information
 
IFEX is a global network of committed organisations working to defend and promote free expression.
Permission is granted for material on this website to be reproduced or republished in whole or in part provided the source member and/or IFEX is cited with a link to the original item.