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Alert

Imprisoned journalist pardoned, released

(IRFS/IFEX) - On 25 December 2009, "Bizim yol" newspaper correspondent Mushfig Huseynov, who was being held at the Penitentiary Services Specialised Treatment Facility for Prisoners with Tuberculosis, was pardoned under a presidential decree. He was released one day later.

Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety correspondents who wanted to film Huseynov's release were initially given permission cards by penitentiary services employees. Three hours later, however, the administrators of the penitentiary services facility took the permission cards from correspondents, allegedly to confirm them but the cards were not given back and no explanation was given as to the reason. Representatives from local television stations were admitted to the facility without any impediments.

Huseynov was convicted under Article 311.1 (receiving of a bribe) of the Criminal Code in July 2007 and, on 21 January 2008, was sentenced by Grave Crimes Court Judge Jamal Ramazanov to six years in prison. This sentence, however, was reduced to one year via an Appellate Court decision.