Official charges presented to editor of "Real Azerbaijan" newspaper

The Ministry of National Security (MNS) of Azerbaijan has presented two charges to Einullah Fatullaev, editor of the newspaper "Real Azerbaijan," under Articles 214 (1) and 283 (2.2) of the Criminal Code. The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent learnt about it from well-informed sources.

The first Article covers crimes against public safety and is called "terrorism" (stipulates from 5 to 8 years of imprisonment), while the second one deals with "exciting national, racial or religious enmity" (imprisonment for up to 4 years).

The charges were presented on the basis of the newspaper articles dealing with possible Iranian missile attacks on Azerbaijan, and the cadre policy of the authorities in southern regions of Azerbaijan.

E. Fatullaev's advocates think that both charges are absolutely unjustified and, therefore, intend to appeal against them.

We remind you that Fatullaev was sentenced to 2.5 years of imprisonment on April 20 this year on a slander charge. On May 16, the MNS opened a criminal case on the fact of "terrorism." Right after that, Mr Fatullaev was moved from the Bail Prison to the pre-trial detention facility (SIZO) of the MNS. Then, the authorities stopped the newspapers "Real Azerbaijan" and "Gyundelik Azerbaijan." However, only now official charges have been presented to Mr Fatullaev.