Support Adnan and Emin

From Dr.Leyla Yunus
Director of Institute of Peace and Democracy (Azerbaijan)


WORLDWIDE FOLLOWED-UP LEGAL TRIAL

Experts with the Institute of Peace and Democracy on the Trial of Bloggers Adnan Hajizade and Emin Abdullayev

The trial on a charge of Adnan Hajizade and Emin Abdullayev under Article 221 the Criminal Code of AR (hooliganism) began on September 04, 2009 in Sabail District Court chaired by Araz Huseynov.
During past 36 working days beginning from September 04 Araz Huseynov held only eight (!) court hearings ( on September 04, 16, 18, 29 and October 01, 07, 09 and 13). The hearings were mostly held in the second half of the day lasting for 3-4 hours at most. Deliberately dragging out the court trials Araz Huseynov repeatedly violated Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms – “the right to a fair and public hearing within a reasonable time by an independent and impartial tribunal established by law”.

The following facts strictly points to the violation of the right to a fair hearing by Araz Huseynov:

1. ALL of the petitions filed by trial lawyers of the accused on September 04 demanding: 1) a hearing in a large room taken a considerable public interest in the case; 2) a discontinuance of the criminal prosecution of the arrested and remit the case to the Prosecutor’s Office for further inquiry in view of gross violations in the course of the prejudicial inquiry by Ziya Aliyev, an investigator with Police Department of Sabail District of Baku, and Shirkhan Adigezalov, a district Prosecutor; 3) arrested Adnan Hajizade also filed a petition for discontinuance of the action and testified that his rights during the arrest and the investigation were violated. For example, he was not allowed to get in touch with his trial lawyer; 4) change of the measure of restraint for the arrested and release on bail

were rejected by Judge Araz Huseynov.

2. The court accepted the list of witnesses for the prosecution, but did not accept the whole list of defense witnesses, thus putting the prosecution and defense in the unequal position.

Out of the list of witnesses for the defense, the court agreed to interrogate only one – Rashadat Akhundov. The rest of them were never heard by the court. So, Araz Huseynov once more demonstrated the violation of the right to a fair hearing.

Meantime the materials of the trial showed the lack of professionalism (or falsification) in the materials of the preliminary inquiry.

So, according to the version of Ziya Aliyev, a senior investigator with Police Department of Sabail District, the police had detained Emin Abdullayev and Adnan Hajizade in the restaurant “Lebanez” and took them as suspected in hooliganism in a police car to Police Station No. 9 of Sabail District. Later on Emin Abdullayev and Adnan Hajizade were arrested. However, testimonies of both the injured and witnesses did not match this version of the investigation:

1. On September 16 the testimony of injured Vusal Mammedov and Babek Huseynov revealed evident contradictions. Vusal Mammedov asserted that during the incident in the ‘Lebanez” restaurant on July 08 he had been beaten by some people, but Babek Huseynov clearly stated that he had been beaten by Adnan, and Mammedov had been beaten by Emin. But the injured party confused the scene of the fight. The first one said that the fight had taken place near their table, but Huseynov assured that it had taken place near the table of the accused.

2. On September 18 and 29, 2009 the witnesses for prosecution also muddled up in their testimony:

- One of the witnesses being an officer with Police Station No. 9 of Sabail District asserted that they had arrested Adnan and Emin in the restaurant where the fight took place. After this the defense adduced evidence that the police had not arrested them, but they themselves had applied to the police for help not in the restaurant but they themselves had come to the police. They, at first, went to Police Station No. 39 where they were told that the territory of the restaurant was attached to Police Station No 9. Instead of providing help there they were arrested. The defense produced photos showing Adnan and Emin standing near the Police Station.

- Sahid Dashdamirov, a witness-officer with the patrol police, stated that he had been on duty in the vicinity of the “Lebanez” restaurant when their squad was passing by. They were called up by a parking lot guard who told them about the fight. The police car took the accused and one young man to the police station. According to the police officer, Adnan’s nose was bleeding, and Emin’s leg was cut. Dashdamirov said that there had been no other injured.

- Witness-police officer Bashir Bashirov stated that there had been no other injured in the restaurant except for the accused.

-Witness-police officer Eldar Gasimov stated that he confirmed his testimony given at the preliminary inquiry. At that he failed to provide a meaningful answer to the question – why the police did not give medical help to Adnan and Emin.

- Witness Parviz Atayev, who had been in the restaurant with Abdullayev and Hajizade, said, “We were discussing the problems of youth education. Suddenly Vusal came up to Emin rudely saying, “What are you saying?”, and Babek Huseynov used bad language. Then Vusal hit Emin with his head and Adnan with his fist. Babek also turned over the table with his leg”. Atayev went out into the street to call up the police but found none. Then Adnan and Emin set off for the nearest Police Station No. 39 . There they were advised to apply to Police Station No. 9. “When I came to Police Station No. 9, Babek was already there”, the witness said. Another withness Orkhan Gafarly, who had also been together with Emin and Adnan that day, almost reiterated Atayev’s words. Both of the young men gave a negative reply to the question of lawyer Elton Guliyev whether the accused had resisted the assailants.

During the hearing on October 01 the lawyers of the accused produced the photos testifying that the version of the investigation, testimony of the injured party and witnesses of the prosecution did not correspond to the facts.

This legal trial chaired by Araz Huseynov strikingly indicates the dependence of the judicial system on the executive power and the use of trials for political pressure on dissidents and repressions, particularly against freedom of speech, thought and self-expression.


Dr.Leyla Yunus
Director of Institute of Peace and Democracy
Website: www.tt-ipd.org

Please find below a press release written by the movement for the protection of youth rights (GHMH). It emphasizes the reasons why everybody must be in front of the Sabayil Court on the 27th for the next (and may be last) hearing on Adnan's and Emin's case.

ADNAN VE EMINI NIYE MUDAFIE EDIRSEN? MEHKEMENIN GARSHISINA NIYE GELIRSEN?

ONLAR BELE DUSHUNUR:

onlari ona gore mudafie edirem ki, onlar DEYISHIKLIYIN ozudurler 
(Ilkin Gambar)

Mən o məhkəmələrdə iştiraka vicdan məsələsi kimi baxıram. Söz azadlığını müdafiə etmə prosesində bir fərd kimi öz borcumdan çıxıram.
(Firudin Allahverdi)

Because that's the way it has to be/Chunki bashqa yol yoxdur
(Nigar Fatali)

Chunki onlar haqsiz yere tutulublar
(Anvar Bagiyev)

Onlarin uzunde geleceyin ishinigi ve kechmishin sehvlerinin dogru chozumlerini gorurem
(A. Cirttan Mammadov)

Millet, gelin hamimiz demokratiyanin son mehkemelerinden birinde onun yaninda olaq. Hamimiz ona destek olaq ki, sonra bashimizi qaldirib uzune baxmaq asan olsun. Onun ciheride olmasinda bizim de payimiz var, ve eger hele yoxdursa, bunun oldugunu gostermek lazimdir. 
(Nicat Qarayev)

Inandigim deyerleri bolushduyum her adama gore olume getmeye haziram.
(Araz Oner)

Ola bilsin bu son mehkemedir. Bu son mehkemedirse bir yerde gencliyin gucunu bir daha numayish etdirek. Bir daha numayish etdirek ki, Adnan ve Eminin dostlari ve hemfikirleri coxdurlar.
(Turgut Gambar)


Chunki Adnan ve Emin haqlidirlar. Mehkemenin qabagina gelmek ise borcumdur
(Vafa Cafarova)


Adnan ve Emini mudafie edirem ona gore ki, bu bir eqide, dusunce ve insanliq meselesidi
(Rashad Shirin Elli)

Chunki onlar duzdurler 
(Huseyn Huseynzada)


BES SEN???

SEN DE OZ DUSHUNCENI YAZ! DOSTLARINLA PAYLASH! HER KESI DEVET ET!

What happened this night?

Did you hear this whisper?

Did you hear this song of Freedom?

Emin was physically in a prison in Baku but he celebrated his birthday all around the world!

Baku is sometimes called the city of winds... Well yesterday, wind was blowing. It was a gust of wind that inspired us in Baku, in Istanbul, in Moscow, in Essex, in London, in Paris, in Strasbourg, in Budapest, in New York etc.

Emin was in prison but he was also in the voice of a Georgian singer in Budapest, in the heart of an Azerbaijani student in Essex, in the soul of a French girl in Strasbourg, in the veins of a young blogger in Baku, singing with his friends in Istanbul and drinking in an English pub...

Freedom and solidarity were everywhere.

Thank you Emin! Thank you people for celebrating in so many countries!

Happy birthday to us!

On July 8th, 2009 Emin Abdullayev (Milli) and Adnan Hajizada were beaten up and later given two months of pre-trial detention. 

It has been more than 95 days but Milli and Hajizade are still in prison and the trial has turned into an endless line of processes, bad actors and fake proofs.

On the 98th day of his detention, on Octobet 14th, Emin is going to turn 30. 

Friends of Emin Milli, have a tradition of celebrating his birthday even if he cannot participate.

Last year, it was Global Emotional Warming'08 - Emin was in New York and his friends were celebrating in Baku. 

This year, Emin Milli's friends decided to celebrate Emin's birthday all around the world.

Thus, they will celebrate in New York, Houston, London, Baku, Paris, Strasbourg, Budapest, Basel etc.

Everybody is invited to celebrate the birth of Emin Milli, on October 14th, and to make of this day a symbol for Freedom, Democracy and Peace.

Joining this party means that we struggle in order to promote democracy and to implement respect of human rights.

The way towards freedom is long and difficult but we must not give up. There is no possibility of being neutral. By being silent, you tolerate the behaviour of people using violence and judicial harassment to keep power.

Emin is detained because of his actions intending to improve Azerbaijanies' condition.

As a friend said:

"His philosophy and lifestyle is about unity and networking.

He has always been the one to inspire and support us. 

We will always be the ones to stand by him.

Happy birthday, Emin!"

On October 14th, wherever you are, join us:

STRASBOURG
place: Le Jimmy's Bar, 30, Quai des Bateliers
Time: 21:00

LONDON
place: http://www.doggettscoatandbadge.co.uk/
Time: 18:30

PARIS
place: "Tenessee bar" (Jazz bar) Boulevard Saint Germain, 7th arrondisement, metro Odeon
Time: 19:00

BAKU
Place: Youth Center, Alovsat Guliyev st, 71 (close to Central Univermag or MUM) 
Time: 19.30

BUDAPEST
Place: CEU Residence, Bambus Bar

NEW YORK
Place:
(1) Columbia University campus, Low Memorial Library (http://www.columbia.edu/acis/tour/low/content.html); 
(2) Brooklyn, Kings Highway; 
(3) Times Square (42nd and 7th Avenue); 
(4) 419 West 119th Street (Emin's home turned into his museum). 

BASEL: we do not know yet the exact place but a party will be organised and we will let you know ASAP

On October 15th, a party is also organised in HOUSTON: Cafe Europe, Houston TX

Lors d'une conférence de presse, Hikmet Hajizadeh, le père d'Adnan, a remercié la jeunesse azerbaïdjanaise pour ses actions.

Il a souligné la situation préoccupante des droits de l'homme en Azerbaïdjan et relevé que, grâce à ses initiatives, le mouvement de la jeunesse a montré qu' il y avait, en Azerbaïdjan, des blogueurs capables d'écrire, de dessiner des caricatures et de tourner des films.

M. Hajizadeh a notamment déclaré que "les blogueurs ont changé l'image de l'Azerbaïdjan". (ci-dessous la vidéo de la conférence de presse en Azerbaïdjanais)

Adnan Hajizadeh et Emin Milli sont en détention provisoire depuis 96 jours.

Le procès est en cours mais les audiences ne cessent d'être reportées. Les juges ne siègent que trois heures par jour les mardi et vendredi.

La prochaine audience a lieu demain, mardi 13 novembre 2009, à 15 heures au Tribunal de Sabayil à Bakou.

Lors de la dernière audience, les deux prévenus ont été entendus. Ils ont rappelé avoir été agressés et s'être rendus volontairement au commissariat afin de porter plainte pour coups et blessures. Toutefois, à leur grande surprise, ils ont été accusés de "houliganisme".

Leurs avocats ont pourtant produits des photographies faisant clairement état des nombreuses ecchymoses et blessures que présentaient Adnan Hajizadeh et Emin Milli à la suite de leur agression. Adnan Hajizadeh a par ailleurs souligné le fait que l'expert entendu à la barre dressait un rapport médical alors qu'il ne l'avait jamais examiné. Le jeune homme qui avait eu le nez cassé lors de l'agression, a également précisé éprouver, aujourd'hui encore, des problèmes de respiration.

Interrogé sur les faits, Adnan Hajizadeh a déclaré : "j'ai toujours combattu la corruption et l'illégalité et c'est pour cette raison que j'ai été battu et arrêté."

Emin Milli a confirmé les dires d'Adnan. La dernière audience ayant eu lieu le 9 novembre, Emin s'est félicité de la chute du mur de Berlin. Le juge a toutefois coupé son intervention et lui a demandé d'en revenir aux faits.

Le 14 novembre, Emin Milli aura 30 ans. A cette occasion, ses amis ont tenu à célébrer son anniversaire dans le monde entier. Des fêtes sont notamment organisées à Bakou, Paris, Strasbourg, Bâle et Londres.

A Paris, la fête aura lieu au Tennessee Bar, boulevard Saint Germain (Paris 7ème, métro Odeon) à 19 heures.

A Strasbourg, la réunion a lieu au Jimmy's Bar, quai des bateliers, à 21 heures.

Joignez-vous à nous et faisons de l'anniversaire d'Emin Milli un jour symbole de paix, de liberté et de justice.

WARSAW
28 September - 9 October 2009
Written statement by The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT)

Under working session 4 of the agenda on “Rule of law II – Prevention of torture”
30 September 2009

The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), as the largest coalition of non governmental organisations fighting against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, wishes to draw the attention of the Organisation for the Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to the situation of torture and other forms of ill-treatment prevailing in some OSCE Participating States.
Since the beginning of the year, OMCT has denounced cases of torture and other forms of ill-treatment, as well as cases of enforced disappearance and arbitrary and/or incommunicado detention[1], in different Participating States of the OSCE, where the information has come out[2].

In Azerbaijan, the use of torture and ill-treatment remains widespread, in particular during arrest and interrogation sessions. OMCT is further gravely concerned about reports of death in detention, as in the case of human rights defender, Mr. Novruzali Mammadov[3]. Mr. Mammadov was detained in poor conditions of detention and was not given appropriate medical care, although he was severely ill. In the same perspective, OMCT is concerned of the existence of a pre-trial investigation centre administered by the Ministry of National Security instead of the Ministry of Justice[4].
Arbitrary detentions persist in Azerbaijan, as evidenced by the recent cases of Mr. Adnan Hajizade, coordinator of OL Youth Organisation and well-known video-blogger and Mr. Emin Milli (Abdullayev), chairman of Alumni Network (AN) Youth Organisation and leader of ANTV Online TV, in Baku, who remain detained since July 2009 on charges of “hooliganism” and “deliberate physical violence”, arrest and detention which seem exclusively motivated by a wish to sanction them because of their activities as independent and opposition journalists[5]. In this respect, OMCT is also concerned that the Azerbaijan Government has reportedly practically put an end to a dialogue it had engaged with the civil society as to the issue of political prisoners.

[1] See OMCT website www.omct.org
[2] For further information on the situation of human rights defenders, see Written Statement by the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint OMCT- FIDH programme.
[3] See The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint OMCT- FIDH programme, urgent appeal AZE 001 / 0808 / OBS 139 and follow-ups.
[4] Concluding observations of the Human Rights Committee, Azerbaijan, August 2009 (CCPR/C/AZE/CO/3).
[5] See OMCT urgent appeal AZE 140709.

Good Evening, Baku.

On 1 October 2009, Elnur Majidli, representing the Alumni Network (AN Network) in France, and the Chairman of the Committee of Human Rights, Chingiz Ganizade, met with High Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, Thomas Hammarberg.

Current human rights issues in Azerbaijan were discussed during the meeting held at the central office of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.

Among these issues, the focus was on the arrest of young bloggers Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizada, political prisoners and factors preventing the effective development of democracy in the country.

Chingiz Ganizade emphasized the importance of the High Commissioner’s support in these matters, emphasizing the poor situation of democracy in the country. He then requested the Council of Europe to intervene in the human rights field in order to assist in the improvement of the current situation.

Introducing himself as a representative of the AN Network, Elnur Majidli talked about the illegal arrest of one of the network’s co-founders Emin Milli and of the co-founder of the OL! [Be!] Youth Movement Adnan Hajizada. He also stressed the importance of the Council of Europe’s support in securing their release.

Thomas Hammarberg said that he is informed about the current situation in Azerbaijan and is seriously concerned about bloggers’ (Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizada) arrest.

The High Commissioner also mentioned that the Council of Europe is following the trial attentively and that this case is one of their main concerns in Azerbaijan.

Referring to the existence of problems with national minorities in Azerbaijan, Hammarberg voiced his doubts regarding the death of the director of the Talish Cultural Centre Novruzali Mammadov, who passed away in the prison.

Chingiz Ganizade objected that there are no problems with national minorities in Azerbaijan and that Novruzali Mammadov as well as other journalists have been arrested for their political activity rather than their belonging to a national minority.

To the question of the High Commissioner as to which issue should be followed most closely in Azerbaijan, Chingiz Ganizade answered pointing out the existence of political prisoners.

Observing that since the 18 March 2009 Constitutional Referendum Azerbaijan has increasingly moved away from democratic principles, Elnur Majidli cautioned against the growth of serious threats to freedom of expression in the country and reiterated that the arrest of the two young bloggers was due to their exercising the right to free speech.

The release of arrested journalists was also touched upon during the meeting.

Thomas Hammarberg said that he will be visiting Azerbaijan at the beginning of 2010 and that he will discuss the above-mentioned issues during his meetings with State officials. During his visit, he is also planning to meet with NGOs working in the field of human rights and democracy.

PRESS RELEASE

Baku, Azerbaijan, October 1, 2009

In the court session on Emin Abdullayev and Adnan Haji-zada case which took place on October 1, 2009, defense attorney presented photos to the court evidencing that statement of investigation, testimonies of victims and witnesses for prosecution are untrue.

According to the statement comprised by the investigator of Sabail District Police Department Ziya Aliyev, police detained Emin Abdullayev and Adnan Haji-zada in the restaurant “Lebanese” and delivered them to the Sabail District Police Station №9 as hooliganism suspects whereupon they were arrested.

Nevertheless, Emin Abdullayev and Adnan Haji-zada affirm that they were severely beaten by two unfamiliar young persons with athlete’s body (V. Mammadov and B. Huseynov) following which Emin Abdullayev and Adnan Haji-zada went to the Sabail District Police Station №39 in order to complain, where they were advised to approach Sabail District Police Station №9. After that they made their way to the advised police station to make complaint against the persons who attacked them in the restaurant.

In today’s court session attorneys of Emin Abdullayev and A. Haji-zada submitted the court photos which confirm that E. Abdullayev and A. Haji-zada were in the Police Station №39 after the fight in the restaurant (dated 08.07.2009) which evidence that statement of investigation and testimonies of witnesses for prosecution are not true.

N°1. articles.php?article_id=20090710022503946〈=az&p Information on the above mentioned incident at the site Mediaforum.az (10.07.2009) where beaten Adnan ’s photos standing in front of the Sabail district police station N39 were loaded

№2 This is Adnan Haji-zada’s close up photo taken by his friends on the day of incident.

In this sequence it seems that he is standing in the Nizami street, in front of the Sabail district police station N39.

№3. Beaten Adnan Haji-zada standing

in front of the Sabail district police station N39.

№4. Photos of the same place where Adnan Haji-zada was standing on the photo N2, taken on September 20, 2009/

№5. Photos of the same police station in the Nizami Street

from where the entrance of the police station is seemed.

№6. Beaten Emin Abdullayev standing outside

the Sabail district police station N39 (08.07.2009).

№7. Yard of the Sabail district police station N39.

№8. Close up photo of the courtyard

of the Sabail district police station N39.

№9. Emin Abdullayev standing outside the Sabail district police station N39

(yard is covered with tile).

№10. Chair (is the same with in the photo N8) on which Emin Abdyullayev sat in the Sabail district police station. In this photo it seems that the coverage of the floor is the same with the coverage of the floor in the photo N9.

Tomas Hammerberq: Bloqqerlərin həbsi bizi ciddi şəkildə narahat edir.

Oktyabrın 1-də AN Şəbəkəsinin Fransa təmsilçisi Elnur Məcidli və Demokratiya və İnsan Haqları Komitəsinin sədri Çingiz Qənizadə, Avropa Şurasının insan hüquqları üzrə baş komissarı Tomas Hammerberq ilə görüş keçirib.

Tomas Hammerberqin Avropa Şurasının mərkəzi binasında yerləşən ofisində baş tutan görüşdə Azərbaycandakı insan haqlarıyla bağlı problemlərin mövcudluğu müzakirə olunub.

Qarşılıqlı müzakirə şəklində keçən toplantıda başda bloqqerlər Emin Milli və Adnan Hacızadənin həbsi olmaqla, siyasi məhbuslar məsələsi və ölkədə demokratiyanın inkişafına maneçilik törədən amillərə toxunulub.

30 dəqiqəyə yaxın davam edən görüşdə Çingiz Qənizadə ölkədəki demokratik vəziyyətin ürəkaçan olmadığını qeyd edərək baş komissarın dəstəyinin vacibliyini vurğulayıb. Azərbaycandakı insan haqlarıyla bağlı problemlərə toxunan Qənizadə, Avropa Şurasının mövcud vəziyyətə müdaxiləsini istəyib.

Elnur Məcidli, görüşdə AN şəbəkəsini təmsil etdiyini bildirərək AN şəbəkəsinin yaradıcılarından biri olan Emin Milli və OL Gənclər Hərəkatının fəalı Adnan Hacızadənin həbsinin qeyri-qanuni olduğunu və hər iki bloqqerin azadlığa buraxılması üçün Avropa Şurasının dəstəyinin əhəmiyyətini qeyd edib.

Tomas Hammerberq, söhbət əsnasında Azərbaycandakı hazırkı vəziyyətlə bağlı məlumatı olduğunu və bloqqerlər Emin Milli və Adnan Hacızadənin həbsinin ciddi narahatlıq doğurduğunu bildirib.

Azərbaycanla bağlı əsas diqqət etdikləri məsələnin gənc bloqqerlərin həbsi olduğunu bildirən baş komissar , məhkəmə prosesini diqqətlə izlədiklərini söyləyib.

Azərbaycanda milli azlıqlarla bağlı problemlərin olduğunu söyləyən Hammerberq, Talış Mədəniyyət Mərkəzinin rəhbəri Novruzəli Məmmədov həbsxanada vəfat etməsinə şübhəli yanaşdığını bildirib.

Çingiz Qənizadə isə Azərbaycanda milli azlıqlar problemi olmadığını, Novruzəli Məmmədovun və digər məhbusların milli azlıq olduğuna görə yox, siyasi fəaliyyətinə görə həbs edildiyini vurğulayıb.

Baş komissarın Azərbaycanda insan haqlarıyla bağlı əsas hansı məsələnin diqqət mərkəzində olması gərəkdiyi sualına Çingiz Qənizadə siyasi məhbusların mövcudluğu olaraq cavab verib.

18 Mart referendumu ilə Azərbaycanın demokratik prinsiplərdən bir az da uzaqlaşdığını ifadə edən Elnur Məcidli, ölkədə söz və ifadə azadlığının qarşısında ciddi əngəllər olduğunu və hər iki bloqqerin də öz fikirlərinə görə həbs olunduqlarını bir daha qeyd edib.

Görüşdə eyni zamanda həbsdə olan jurnalistlərin azadlığa buraxılması məsələsinə də toxunulub.

Tomas Hamerberq, 2010-cu ilin ilk aylarında Azərbaycana səfər etməyi planlaşdırdığnı və səfəri zamanı qeyd olunan problemlərə toxunacağını və rəsmi görüşlərlə yanaşı, insan hüquqları və demokratiya sahəsində çalışan QHT-lərlə də görüş keçirməyi istədiyini söyləyib.

Görüş, qarşılıqlı sual-cavabdan sonra başa çatıb.

E. Məcidli