Azerbaijani SC leaves journalist Gasanzade and blogger Tyurksoy in custody

The Azerbaijani Supreme Court (SC) has dismissed the complaints lodged by the journalist, Elchin Gasanzade, and the blogger Ibragim Tyurksoy. Their defence sees a violation of the right to the freedom of expression in the SC's verdict and intends to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on March 2, 2021, a court sentenced Elchin Gasanzade, a journalist and a member of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), and Ibragim Tyurksoy, a blogger, to eight months in prison each on charges of libel and insult. Azerbaijani human rights defenders have treated the sentence as too harsh and stated that the men were prosecuted for criticizing the authorities.

The lawsuit against Gasanzade and Tyurksoy was filed by the head of the Mingachevir city housing and maintenance department, who had treated the critical posts about himself in social networks as slander and insult.

Zibeida Sadygova, an advocate, asked the SC to take into account Gasanzade's serious health problems, his marital status and his wife's pregnancy, as well as the fact that he has served a half of his term.

Nemat Kerimli, an advocate for Tyurksoy, has also asked to acquit his client. He pointed out that the defendants' publications fit into the framework of the freedom of expression.

"The Court of Appeal has explained the deterioration of Tyurksoy's and Gasanzade's situation by the fact that they 'behaved badly' after sentencing. This is how the court interpreted their public statements in their defence," Mr Kerimli has noted.

Let us remind you that Gasanzade and Tyurksoy are on the list of political prisoners compiled by the Union "For Freedom of Political Prisoners of Azerbaijan".