Democracy News

Jailed Azerbaijani Bloggers; Appeal Hearing Rescheduled
January 12, 2010
By: Randi Zung | Printer Friendly

According to Amnesty International UK, Azerbaijani youth activists Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizada were arrested in July 2009 and charged with “hooliganism” after calling the police to report that they had been assaulted in a restaurant.  In November 2009, Hajizade and Milli were both sentenced to jail terms, Hajizada for two years and Milli for two and a half years.  Despite having visible injuries from the assault and testimony from eyewitnesses claiming they were victims, the two men were charged as being the instigators of the fight. 

The arrest came approximately one week after Hajizade posted an online video that criticized the Azerbaijani government’s treatment of human rights.  The video in question showed Hajizade interviewing an individual dressed in a donkey outfit following a broadcasted news story that reported the Azerbaijani government imported donkeys from Germany.  Critics believe the donkey story was fabricated in order to cover up government theft or another instance of fraud.  Amnesty International UK is calling for the release of the two men, stating that their trials were unfair and that charges brought against them were falsified by the government.  In a statement given by Amnesty International UK Director Kate Allen, she stated: “Amnesty strongly believes that these men are prisoners of conscience, locked up for the peaceful expression of their beliefs. They should be released immediately.”

On January 8, 2010, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported that Hajizade and Milli’s appeal hearing had been rescheduled after their alleged victims, Babak Huseynov and Vusal Mammadov, failed to show in court.  Their hearing is now scheduled for January 22.  According to BBC News, the Azerbaijani government has recently cracked down on journalists and bloggers that circulate stories that are critical of the government’s practices.  The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s (OSCE) media representative, Miklos Haraszti, stated that at least five journalist are currently in jail for publishing stories.  In a statement by Elnur Aslanov, the head of information for Azerbaijan's presidential administration: “No one goes to prison for what they have written or posted on the internet.”  In addition, government officials state that the country is on its way to becoming a “fully-fledged democracy.”

Sources:
BBC News - Azeri bloggers test limits of democracy
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8424874.stm

Amnesty International UK - "Donkey bloggers" of Azerbaijan must be released
http://www.amnesty.org.uk/news_details.asp?NewsID=18560

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty - Baku Court Delays 'Donkey Bloggers' Hearing
http://www.rferl.org/content/Baku_Court_Postpones_Donkey_Bloggers_Appeal_Hearing/1924081.html