11 February 2011

Alert

Fatullayev fears for his safety in prison


(IRFS/IFEX) - 9 February 2011 - Imprisoned journalist Eynulla Fatullayev, editor-in-chief of "Realniy Azerbaydjan" and "Gundelik Azerbaycan" newspapers, has sent a letter to Justice Minister Fikrat Mammadov. Copies of the appeal, published in "Azadlig" daily, were sent to the Deputy Justice Minister, the Head of Penitentiary Service Nazim Alakbarov and Baku Investigative Prison Chief Elkhan Sadixov.

In his letter Fatullayev says that he has been involved in investigative journalism for 11 years, during which time he has written about criminal activity and informed the Azerbaijani community of what is going on in the criminal underworld. Fatullayev questions what sense there is in keeping him in the same prison with serious criminals and proponents of organized crime. Fatullayev claims his life would be in danger in prisons #1, 7, 11, 15 and 17.

At the end of his appeal, the journalist refers to Articles 72.3 and 12.3 of the Code of Execution of Punishments, and asks to be transferred to prison #9, where former court and law-enforcement employees are held. Fatullayev says he will go on hunger strike if this does not happen.

Justice Ministry Penitentiary Service Public Relations chief Mehman Sadigov told IRFS that the appeal will be considered and relevant measures will be taken.


BACKGROUND:

On 29 December 2009, 0.223 grams of heroin were reportedly found on Fatullayev in Prison #12, and on 6 July 2010 Fatullayev was found guilty under article 234.1 of the Criminal Code for possession of narcotics in an amount exceeding the limit for personal consumption. His sentence of two years and six months in prison began on the same date. His appeal against the decision was rejected.

In 2007, Fatullayev was sentenced to 8.5 years in jail for "threat of terrorism", amongst other charges. However, on 22 April 2010, the European Court of Human Rights ruled for his immediate release and financial compensation from the Azerbaijani government (27,800 EUR). The Azerbaijani Supreme Court Plenum has only partially fulfilled the decision.

Source:

Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety
8 R. Behbudov St., Apt. 85/86
Baku
Azerbaijan
irfs.az (@) gmail.com
Phone: +99 412 418 0334/+99 450 398 4838
 

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More on this case

Journalist Eynulla Fatullayev granted amnesty in honour of 28 May holiday 27 May 2011 Joint appeal to UNESCO director-general over Fatullayev case 4 May 2011 Government claims to have complied with ECHR judgment on Fatullayev case 4 May 2011 "Fifty Fatullayevs" outside London Embassy demand release of jailed Azerbaijani journalist 19 April 2011 Family of imprisoned journalist receives threatening phone call 13 April 2011 CPJ concerned about Fatullayev's safety, calls for his release 23 March 2011 Council of Europe Committee of Ministers must demand journalist's release, says International Partnership Group for Azerbaijan 2 March 2011 Baku Appeals Court denies Fatullayev's appeal, defies ECHR ruling 3 February 2011 Supreme Court rejects imprisoned editor's appeal 3 January 2011 Council of Europe Committee calls on government to release Eynulla Fatullayev 8 December 2010 Fatullayev's fate lies with the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers, says ARTICLE 19 6 December 2010 Editor Eynulla Fatullayev remains jailed despite ECHR call for his release 12 November 2010 In latest humiliation, newspaper editor appears in court inside cage 8 November 2010 Send a letter in support of jailed editor 29 October 2010 Joint letter calls for newspaper editor's release 28 October 2010 ECHR upholds decision on release of Eynulla Fatullayev 21 October 2010 Authorities say imprisoned journalist will not be freed regardless of appeal outcome 22 July 2010 Imprisoned editor sentenced to an additional two and a half years in prison 7 July 2010 IRFS appeals to president as imprisoned editor starts hunger strike 7 June 2010 Comply with European Court decision on case of imprisoned journalist, ARTICLE 19, International PEN urge 19 May 2010 Authorities urged to comply with ECHR order and release editor Eynulla Fatullayev 23 April 2010 European Court of Human Rights orders journalist's release 23 April 2010 Eynulla Fatullayev's appeal rejected 18 March 2010 Eynulla Fatullayev and family threatened 18 March 2010 Imprisoned editor concerned over possible threat to his life 3 March 2010 Editor's detention prolonged by two more months 1 March 2010 CPJ delegation calls for Eynulla Fatullayev's release 22 January 2010 Editor to be tried on new charge, sentenced to two months' detention in isolation unit 6 January 2010 Authorities trump up new charge against award-winning editor Eynulla Fatullayev 31 December 2009 Detained journalist harassed in prison 27 October 2008 Supreme Court upholds editor's conviction 4 June 2008 Imprisoned editor starts hunger strike to protest jailing of journalists 26 March 2008 Appeals court upholds conviction of critical editor 17 January 2008 Outspoken editor Eynulla Fatullayev sentenced to eight and a half years in prison 30 October 2007 Supreme Court upholds editor's prison sentence 27 August 2007 New terrorism charge brought against opposition editor already serving 30-month sentence for defamation 6 July 2007 Imprisoned editor Eynulla Fatullayev receives death threats, inhumane treatment; his conviction confirmed 8 June 2007 Fifteen journalists seek political asylum in protest against closure of newspapers 29 May 2007 Imprisoned editor Eynulla Fatullayev charged with terrorism; his home searched, his newspaper's computers, documents confiscated 24 May 2007 Imprisoned editor target of death threat; two newspapers evicted amid media harassment campaign 22 May 2007 Editor of critical newspaper brutally beaten after protesting conviction of colleague 24 April 2007 Embattled editor jailed for libel and insult over article he denies writing 23 April 2007

Azerbaijan

Authorities violently disperse peaceful rallies 22 May 2012 Opposition activist released from prison 17 May 2012 Journalist says he was tortured in prison 25 April 2012 International NGOs call on president to investigate brutal attack on prominent journalist 19 April 2012 Three journalists detained for 12 hours 28 March 2012 See all alerts: Azerbaijan


 
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