IRFS/IFEX, Baku, 08 Jan 2010 – On 8 January 2010, “Milletim” newspaper’s editor-in-chief Faramaz Novruzoglu was released from prison number 16. Novruzoglu was met by the newspaper’s employees and his friends in front of the prison.
Novruzoglu told IRFS that his arrest was unfounded and he regrets that journalists are imprisoned because of their articles. He noted that he will not back down and will continue writing critical articles.
On 22 July, the Nizami District Court sentenced “Nota” newspaper deputy editor Sardar Alibeyli (Aliyev) and former chief adviser of “Nota” Faramaz Novruzoglu (Allahverdiyev) to three months in prison on the basis of a lawsuit filed by Tahmasib Novruzov, chairman of the Azadlig Harakatchilari Union.
Ramiz Tagiyev, another correspondent for the newspaper, was sentenced to six months’ conditional imprisonment under the same ruling.
On 8 October, an appeals court upheld the lower court’s decision.
On 9 October, a decision was issued on the appeal of both parties against the Nizami District Court’s ruling on the special lawsuit by several Internal Army representatives against “Nota” editor-in-chief Sardar
Alibeyli, who was sentenced to four months in prison including his previous sentence.