23:59, 27 January 2007

Committee for defence of Mr. Sadagatoglu's rights founded in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan has founded the Committee in defence of the rights of Samir Sadagatoglu, editor-in-chief of the "Sanat" newspaper. The members of the newly-formed Committee have explained that the decision to found it was caused by the extension of the term of arrest of S. Sadagatoglu for other 2 months. The Committee for defence of Mr. Sadagatoglu's rights includes several writers, colleagues of the editor-in-chief, and is headed by writer Raset Pirisoj.

The members of the Committee think that the inquiry period on the journalists' case is deliberately extended, the Day.Az informs.

The members of the Committee have also declared the need to defend the rights of writer Rafik Tagi and made a decision on holding joint actions with the Organization of Free Publicists, where R. Tagi is a member.

We remind you that in relation of R. Tagi and the editor-in-chief of the "Sanat" newspaper, a criminal case was initiated under Article 283 of the Criminal Code (kindling of national, racial, social or religious hatred and enmity). The authors have admitted insults of Prophet Mohammed in the pages of the newspaper.