Support Adnan and Emin

 

http://contact.com.az/index.php?type=news&lang=en&news_id=13928

Today Baku’s Sabail region court has sentenced the bloggers Emin Milli to 2.5 years and Adnan Hajizada to 2 years of imprisonment on charge of hooliganism and causing damage to health.

Today’s session has started with the speech of Public Prosecutor Jeyhun Kazimov, who asked court to sentence Milli to 3.6 years and Hajizada to 3 years in jail.

The lawyers of the accused demanded their acquittal. Adnan Hajizada’s lawyer Isahan Ashurov said “Prosecutor has no idea what ”proof” it is and the accusation was based on the traditions of Soviet totalitarianism. Since the very beginning investigation was conducted with violation of the law. The principle of presumption of innocence has been violated and instead of investigation police has instituted criminal case right away.”

Millis’ lawyer Elton Guliyev said the bloggers’ case is politically motivated to intimidate young people. “The so-called victims had to be on the place of the accused.”

In his last plea Hajizada said that the International Youth Day was celebrated on November 10. “We, investigator and Prosecutor and the so-called victims are people of one generation. And we altogether must resolve all the problems, first of all the Karabakh conflict,” Hajizada said.

“You do not have to be a professional in field law to make fair decision. You should feel sorry for them, but not us,” he said and pointed at the victim Vusal Mammadov.

Milli said “it is honor for me to be penalized for my ideals.” People applauded and human rights defender Leyla Yunus shouted “Shame on Judge Araz Huseynov!

The lawyers said that sentence is unfair and illegal and they will appeal against it.

Leyla Yunus said the sentence is “a political order.”

Erkin Gadirli, chairman of the Committee for Bloggers Rights, said the sentence is a disgrace. “We will take the matter to the European court,” he said.

Terry Davidson, chief of U.S. embassy Public Relations Department, expressed regret over the court decision. He said in the coming days the U.S. Department of States will express its attitude towards the sentence passed on the bloggers.

26-year-old Adnan Hajizada, leader of the youth movement Ol (Be), and 30-year-old Emin Milli, chief of Alumni Network, founder of ANTV, were detained after the fight in Lebanese restaurant on July 8, 2009. Local and international human rights defenders claim that the young people have been arrested for a political dissent and, particularly, video about donkey, which was regarded as parody of president.

Many international organizations, parliaments and governments of western countries have repeatedly urged the Azerbaijani authorities to free the bloggers.

The bloggers’ imprisonment is the Azerbaijani authorities challenge to the world community.

Experts

One of the victims Babak Huseynov did not appear at the trial, but he submitted a written statement saying that he has no claims to the accused. Another victim Vusal Mammadov said he “is not going to reconcile with the accused and they should be penalized by the state.”

Milli’s relatives protested at the court’s failure to video speech of Public Prosecutor.

Milli and Hajizada were arrested on July 8 after the incident in Lebanon restaurant in Baku. Although they have been beaten up, criminal case has been instituted against them.

Local and international human rights defenders claim that the young people have been arrested on political reasons.

The judge has announced a break.-0-

ANPCEI: VERDICT AGAINST BLOGGERS IS A SHAME FOR AZERBAIJAN

http://www.top7.az/default.asp?vr=en

11.11.2009...18:42:48...Wednesday

BAKU/11.11.09/TURAN: Azerbaijan’s National Public Committee for European Integration (ANPCEI) is indignant with conviction of young bloggers Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade.

"Immediately after the arrest and during the investigation the ANPCEI appealed repeatedly to Azerbaijan’s authorities with request to stop this falsified "case." Trial showed that the beating, arrest and trial over young bloggers were connected with their public activity. Young activists are punished in this way for their will to live in open and fair society in which human rights of every person are respected," reads the statement received from ANPCEI.

The court's verdict is contrary not only to Azerbaijan’s legislation, but also to democratic principles, and it violates the norms of humanism and human values. In connection with above mentioned the ANPCEI again called Azerbaijan’s leadership to stop the absurdity defaming Azerbaijani state. "We demand immediate release of Adnan Hajizade and Emin Milli, and stop of investigation against them," the statement of ANPCEI read.

Today Sabail Court passed a verdict against Adnan Hajizade and Emin Milli, and sentenced them to 2 years and 2, 5 years of imprisonment.

ANPCEI unites a large group of prominent representatives of Azerbaijan’s democratic publicity. A chairman-in- office of the ANPCEI is the head of Public Union “For the Sake of Azerbaijan” Eldar Namazov. -06D--

DEVAMM CATEGORICALLY CONDEMNS VERDICT PASSED AGAINST BLOGGERS

http://www.top7.az/default.asp?vr=en

11.11.2009...18:30:07...Wednesday

BAKU/11.10.09/TURAN: DEVAMM condemned the verdict passed against bloggers Adnan Milli and Emin Hajizade, reads the statement sent to Turan by the head of DEVAMM structure Haji Ilgar Ibrahimoglu. The statement reads that the verdict will cause a serious damage to Azerbaijan’s international image, to belief in court’s justice, and independence of this structure. There were not arguments or facts proving the bloggers’ guilt; they have turned from sufferers into the accused.

DEVAMM considers that the sentence against the bloggers is unfair and is biased. It is noted with great regret that courts in Azerbaijan play the role of instrument for punishment dissidents. "We want to believe that higher instances will not be unfair. We are solider with the young bloggers." -16Б04-

AZERBAIJANI AUTHORITIES SENTENCED BLOGGERS IGNORING INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC OPINION

http://www.top7.az/default.asp?vr=en

11.11.2009...14:43:47...Wednesday

BAKU/11.11.09/TURAN: Today Baku’s Sabail region court has sentenced the bloggers Emin Milli to 2.5 years and Adnan Hajizada to 2 years of imprisonment on charge of hooliganism and causing damage to health.

Today’s session has started with the speech of Public Prosecutor Jeyhun Kazimov, who asked court to sentence Milli to 3.6 years and Hajizada to 3 years in jail.

The lawyers of the accused demanded their acquittal. Adnan Hajizada’s lawyer Isahan Ashurov said “Prosecutor has no idea what ”proof” it is and the accusation was based on the traditions of Soviet totalitarianism. Since the very beginning investigation was conducted with violation of the law. The principle of presumption of innocence has been violated and instead of investigation police has instituted criminal case right away.”

Millis’ lawyer Elton Guliyev said the bloggers’ case is politically motivated to intimidate young people. “The so-called victims had to be on the place of the accused.”

In his last plea Hajizada said that the International Youth Day was celebrated on November 10. “We, investigator and Prosecutor and the so-called victims are people of one generation. And we altogether must resolve all the problems, first of all the Karabakh conflict,” Hajizada said.

“You do not have to be a professional in field law to make fair decision. You should feel sorry for them, but not us,” he said and pointed at the victim Vusal Mammadov.

Milli said “it is honor for me to be penalized for my ideals.” People applauded and human rights defender Leyla Yunus shouted “Shame on Judge Araz Huseynov!

The lawyers said that sentence is unfair and illegal and they will appeal against it.

Leyla Yunus said the sentence is “a political order.”

Erkin Gadirli, chairman of the Committee for Bloggers Rights, said the sentence is a disgrace. “We will take the matter to the European court,” he said.

Terry Davidson, chief of U.S. embassy Public Relations Department, expressed regret over the court decision. He said in the coming days the U.S. Department of States will express its attitude towards the sentence passed on the bloggers.

26-year-old Adnan Hajizada, leader of the youth movement Ol (Be), and 30-year-old Emin Milli, chief of Alumni Network, founder of ANTV, were detained after the fight in Lebanese restaurant on July 8, 2009. Local and international human rights defenders claim that the young people have been arrested for a political dissent and, particularly, video about donkey, which was regarded as parody of president.

Many international organizations, parliaments and governments of western countries have repeatedly urged the Azerbaijani authorities to free the bloggers.

The bloggers’ imprisonment is the Azerbaijani authorities challenge to the world community.-0-

 

 

Today, the last hearing took place in Sabayil Court in Baku and the decision has nothing to do with justice. The hope was for a hall of fame but the result turned to be a Court of shame! So that's it: Adnan Hajizadeh and Emin Milli (Abdullayev) were found guilty on hooliganism and violence whereas it is well known that the two bloggers were attacked and didn't commit any crime but expressing themselves.

The sentences are two years of imprisonment for Adnan Hajizadeh and two years and a half for Emin Milli.

Defence lawyers already announced they would appeal... They must, obviously.. but who can trust this Caucasus Kangaroo Courts?! Plus, no doubt that the two bloggers will  stay in jail during the appeal process...

Emin said he is feeling proud and ready to accept the verdict. Adnan added « we will be done with our sentences but I wonder how they (the so-called « victims », i.e agressors) are going to live a life built on lies... »

Yes, lies, fake proofs and fake statments are the characteristics of this absurd and horrible « trial »!

We tweeted and posted on every hearing. Prosecution and witnesses' statements were clearly incoherent and revealed the political reason behind. The two « witnesses » were unable to remember anything.

Let be quoted this scene of anthology:

Defence lawyer – Who has beaten you?

Witness – One of those guys.

Lawyer – but who?

Witness – There were many people, I don't remember! This is probably one of those guys! Anyway, I said everything in my initial statement!

Lawyer – What did you write in this statement?

Witness – What police told me.

You see, this trial was full of pathetic moments like this one. This scene is a perfect demonstration of the absurdity of Adnan and Emin's case.

The world must be aware that in Azerbaijan, jail is the price to pay when you post videos on youtube.

The world must know that in Azerbaijan, there is no fair trial, no freedom of expression, no democracy.

The world must know that in Azerbaijan, « might is right »!

The fault of Adnan and Emin is to work for a democratic change in Absurdistan.

Despite all efforts of Azerbaijani civil society and International community, we lost today... but we won't give up! We are shocked (not very surprized though) but we will never stop supporting them.

So, we call on International community, civil society, NGOs, Embassies and every citizen of this world, to stand up and strongly condemn this unbearable decision.

 

The hope was for a hall of fame but the result turned to be a Court of shame!

Don't give up my friends, don't let the Azerbaijani youth alone, don't keep silent, support Adnan and Emin!

 

Today, at 10:30 a.m. Baku time, another hearing will take place in Sabayil Court on the case of Adnan Hajizadeh and Emin Milli.

The two young bloggers have been detained in pretrial detention since July 8, 2009 and charged for hooliganism, although everyone, including human rights organizations, clearly know that the real reason is political intimidation against youth activism in Azerbaijan.

Let it be reminded that Adnan Hajizadeh and Emin Milli, respectively leaders of OL! youth movement and AN network, were attacked and injured by two sportsmen (Vusal Mammedov and Babek Huseynov) and, instead of being treated like victims, they were suited for aggression against their aggressors.

The trial has been ongoing for more than two months and turned into a comedy consisting of a series of absurd hearings, contradictory statements and fake testimonies and proofs. For instance, during the last hearing (see: http://globalvoicesonline.org/2009/11/06/azerbaijan-activist-blogger-trial-resumes/), the so-called "victims" suddenly became amnesic and could not give any information on the facts or the statements they initially made at the police station.

Today's hearing could be the last one.

If Adnan Hajizadeh and Emin Milli are found guilty, they may face up to five years of imprisonment. Such a sentence would be one more blow to freedom of expression and would mean the sacrifice of two peaceful young leaders whose sole guilt is to fight corruption and totalitarism.

We appeal everybody to gather in front of the Sabayil Court at 10:30 a.m. to show our support and condemn this mascarade of justice!

You can also use the hashtag #EminAdnan on Twitter and follow livetweets on the trial.

Don't let the Azerbaijani youth alone, support Adnan and Emin!

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!

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.

 

 

 

 

The next hearing on Adnan and Emin' case is postponed to the 29th.

Support Adnan and Emin, gather in front of the Sabail Court in Baku on Sept 29.


La prochaine audience du procès de Adnan et Emin a été reporté au 29 septembre.

Soutenez Adnan et Emin,
Rassemblez-vous devant le tribunal de Sabail à Bakou le 29 septembre 2009.

09/19/2009

Summary of the Adnan Hajizadeh and Emin Milli case
ADNAN HAJIZADEH and EMIN MILLI, 
arbitrarily arrested and detained, currently standing trial for “hooliganism”

Background



Repression is still intensifying in Azerbaijan.
The main reason for it is the strengthening of the President’s power. On October 14, 2008 President Ilham Aliyev won the elections with over 70% of the vote (which was contested by international observers). Azerbaijan also benefits from a relative indulgence on the international scene, due to negotiations related to NABUCCO pipeline.


Therefore, behavior adopted by national authorities becomes increasingly firm and arbitrary, of which latest victims are Adnan Hajizadeh and Emin Milli.


Adnan Hajizadeh is a videoblogger and active member of “Ol ! youth movement”, an association promoting education, tolerance, democracy and respect of human rights. Back in time, he worked as an assistant for the ODIHR (an OSCE body), and for the TACIS program of the European Union (similar to ERASMUS program).


Emin Milli is the co-founder of the 2005 created “Alumni Network” (AN), bringing together Azerbaijani youth with the purpose of strengthening the dialogue in the civil society and especially in universities. He organized a series of lectures jointly with the German Embassy, and in 2005 he worked as an assistant political analyst for the ODIHR/OSCE observation mission of the elections in Azerbaijan. The Alumni Network also created recently an alternative TV channel intending to allow the expression of opinions others than traditional media.

Hajizadeh and Milli have been carrying out pacifist actions of protest, notably against the interdiction of foreign radio broadcasts, and the restrictive law on NGOs. They made every effort to spread via internet non-censored information.

Videos and articles posted by Adnan Hajizadeh and Emin Milli (critical and occasionally satiric) were very popular among Azerbaijani youth.


Recently the Azerbaijani Government purchased a donkey for $41.000. Adnan Hajizadeh posted a video making a mockery of this absurd acquisition. It featured a donkey holding a press-conference and playing violin. In reality, this post aimed to criticize the new law on NGOs. The last sentence was "There will be someone to protect donkey civil rights, but who will protect human civil rights?"
This video immensely irritated the authorities and caused the arrest of the bloggers.

On July 8, 2009, Adnan Hajizade (26) and Emin ‘Milli’ Abdullayev (30) were arrested and charged with hooliganism (Article 221 of Penal Code of Azerbaijan).


The Facts

The facts leading to their arrest started when they were having dinner in a Lebanese restaurant in Baku, and were attacked by two young “sportsmen”, Babek Huseynov and Vusal Mammadov.
Let it be specified that many witnesses were present on the spot.

Badly injured Hajizadeh and Milli went to the Sabayil police station to file a complaint. After a questioning that turned into a custody lasting several hours, they were, against all expectations, sent to the detention center of the Khatai police station.

The police did not allow Adnan Hajizadeh and Emin Milli to contact immediately their lawyers, nor to receive urgent medical care.

These facts were confirmed on July 9 by the head of the Azerbaijani Committee for the Prevention of Torture (ACAT).

Hajizadeh and Milli were finally authorized to meet their lawyers, Isakhan Ashurov and Elton Guliyev, on July 9 at 3:00 pm. They were then examined by a doctor. Inter alia, Hajizade had a broken nose and minor injuries, and Milli had foot cut, face and eye bruises and minor injuries.


The next day, July 10, they were questioned at the Sabayil police station from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.

At 7:00 pm preliminary hearing was held at the Sabayil Court, where they were charged with hooliganism.

Journalists, human rights defenders, representatives from international organizations and embassies were not accepted at the close-door hearing. Aggressors Huseynov and Mammadov testified as victims. On the other hand witnesses for the defense were not heard. The judge made decision for two months-time pretrial detention.




Actions


On July 9 the “Public Committee for the protection of Adnan Hajizadeh and Emin Milli was created. They organized a press conference with the presence of human rights defenders, representatives from international organizations, NGOs and embassies, and addressed an appeal to the President and the Interior Minister.

On the same day a group of Azerbaijani students gathered in front of the Council of Europe to denounce the arrest of Hajizadeh and Milli.


On July 10 the German Ambassador Dr Peer Stanchina made a statement, and Günter Nooke the German Secretary for human rights (“Ombudsman”) went to the Sabayil police station accompanied by a German journalist from Deutschlandradio Kultur.

The Ombudsman required attending the hearing although his request was rejected. “If the case in not closed today it will be a scandal beyond the borders of Azerbaijan” Nooke said. “In this case victims have been presented as aggressors. This is a typical sign of dictatorship”.

On July 11 the American Embassy and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) made public statements.

On July 13 Reporters without borders (RSF) published an article calling to an urgent reconsideration of the case, as measures were disproportionate and typical of arbitrary judicial decisions against opponents to the government.

Also on July 13 IRFS held a press conference on the case. As a majority the audience declared that it was a political case for which instructions were given at the highest level.

The British Minister of Foreign Affairs Glenys Kinnock mentioned orally the case to President ALIYEV during his visit in London on July 13.

On July 14 the World organization against torture sent an open letter calling for the release of the bloggers.

On July 15 Euro-MP Cem Özdemir, the Overseas Security Advisory Council and EDRI (European Digital Rights) made public statements.



On July 16 Reporters without borders sent a letter to the Azerbaijani Minister of Justice.
In addition, Günter Nooke (German Ombudsman) firmly condemned the situation: “The authorities restrain the opposition and prevent them accessing the media. (…) Tribunals are independent only on paper. Judges get instructions for acting from higher spheres. The recent arrest of two human rights defenders confirms this.”


On the same day members of the British Parliament condemned the aggression and arrest of the bloggers and called for their immediate release.

Miklos Harastzi, OSCE High Representative for media declared that the bloggers were innocent ad that Azerbaijan was the OSCE member state with the highest number of imprisoned journalists.

Amongst others, the NGO “Impunity watch reporters”, the Baku mission of the Council of Europe, UN, Amnesty International, the House for Human Rights, and International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), denounced the case.


The appeal hearing was held behind closed door on July 20 and the appeal was rejected.

David Kramer, MP and former Secretary of State (USA) immediately declared that he was shocked and called for the release of Hajizadeh and Milli and for the arrest of the persons who had attacked them in the restaurant.


In July and August 2009 meetings were held in front of Azerbaijani embassies in Paris, Washington, The Hague and London.


The bloggers filed a complaint about the custody conditions although this file was rejected by the Sabayil Court on July 23.
In a new press release RSF denounced this worrying situation.

During the meeting of the Permanent Council of OSCE in Vienna on July 23, the EU Swedish presidency called Azerbaijan to respect its international commitments in the processing of the Hajizadeh and Milli case.

The American mission also required the release of the two men.


International community (IO, Embassies and NGOs) made numerous statements. Azerbaijani civil society is also mobilized. The Azerbaijani movement for protection of youth organizes lectures, petitions, a video petition campaign, and sent to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan an open letter signed by many citizens.

However authorities persist in their illegality. The Ministry of Internal affairs and the General Prosecutor of Azerbaijan disturbed by these actions, called the international community not to interfer and not to believe the bloggers. They also try to present these two pacifist activists as “youngster preparing an orange revolution orchestrated by Western Europe”.


Trial on merits: Hajizadeh and Milli judged for hooliganism



During the preparatory hearing on September 8, 2009, all motions of the defense were rejected whereas witnesses and evidences presented by the prosecution were accepted without discussion.
The judge also refused to release on bail the two young men who will remain in prison until the judgment.

The first hearing on merits was held on September 16, 2009 at Sabayil Court, Baku.
Many Azerbaijanies gathered in front of the Court to show their support to Adnan Hajizadeh and Emin Milli. Some of them were wearing tee-shirts with the inscription “I am a hooligan too” (Men de xuliqanam) to scorn the ridiculous accusation against Hajizadeh and Milli.

Six youngsters wearing these tee-shirts were arrested before the hearing started, and detained for several hours at the police station.

Hajizadeh and Milli were present in the courtroom, although they were handcuffed and in a cage.
Vusal Mammadov, one of the persons who hit Hajizadeh and Milli, was heard as alleged “victim”. The man contradicted himself on several occasions. He was unable to give the address on his identity card (!). To the question “Who hit you?” Mammadov answered “Probably one of these guys.”

During the adjournment some thought they saw the judge moving away and discussing with Mammadov and his lawyer...



The second hearing on merits was held on September 18, 2009. (“comedy, act II”)
Babek Husseynov was heard as the second alleged ‘victim”. He declared: “Adnan pushed me and broke his nose himself by falling over the table where he had pushed me.”
He added that he wrote a statement while at the police station.
When asked “What did you write?” he answered “What the police told me”(!)

The Court decided again to postpone the trial and fixed the next hearing for September 29.
By postponing the trial, national authorities want the bloggers supporters and the international observers to get weary. They want support and supporters to decrease, and the media coverage to stop.

Mobilization of civil society and international pressure embarrass the authorities that did not expect such a movement.

Support for Adnan Hajizadeh and Emin Milli must continue.

Support must come from Azerbaijani civil society, but also from international community. Media must cover and denounce the trial that fabricated from beginning to end. International organizations and NGOs called for the release of Adnan Hajizadeh and Emin Milli. This international pressure must go on.



Adnan Hajizadeh and Emin Milli are under penalty of 2 to 5 years imprisonment.

Don't let the Azerbaijani youth alone, support Adnan and Emin.




Short documentary on the case: “The newest history of Azerbaijan”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKBjCJF7KQY&feature=PlayList&p=C0AB533D4646469A



film made by the Committee for youth human rights defense

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvmMq5RY3Dw&feature=PlayList&p=C0AB533D4646469A&index=6



All information on http://ol-en.blogspot.com/

including the video petition campaign http://videopetition.blogspot.com/

ADNAN HADJIZADEH et EMIN MILLI,
arbitrairement arrêtés et détenus, sont actuellement jugés pour « hooliganisme »


Background

Actuellement, la répression s’intensifie en Azerbaïdjan. La raison essentielle est le renforcement du pouvoir présidentiel. En effet, le 14 octobre 2008, le Président Ilham Aliyev a remporté les élections (contestées par les observateurs internationaux), avec plus de 70 % des voix. Par ailleurs, l’Azerbaïdjan bénéficie d’une relative indulgence sur la scène internationale en raison des négociations liées au pipeline NABUCCO.

En conséquence, les autorités adoptent un comportement de plus en plus ferme et arbitraire. Adnan Hadjizadeh et Emin Milli en sont les dernières victimes.

Adnan Hadjizadeh est un vidéo-bloggeur et un membre actif de l’association « Ol ! youth movement » (association qui promeut l’éducation, la tolérance, la démocratie et le respect des droits de l’homme). Par le passé, il a travaillé comme assistant à l’ODIHR (« Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights », institution spécialisée de l’OSCE) à Bakou et pour le programme TACIS de l’Union Européenne (programme type ERASMUS).

Emin MILLI est le co-fondateur de « the Alumni Network » (AN), réseau, créé en 2005, qui tend à réunir les jeunes azerbaïdjanais afin d’encourager le débat dans la société civile, et plus particulièrement dans les universités. Il a notamment organisé une série de conférences en coopération avec l’ambassade d’Allemagne et, en 2005, travaillé comme analyste politique assistant pour la mission ODIHR/OSCE d’observation des élections en Azerbaïdjan. Par ailleurs, récemment, l’Alumni Network a créé une chaîne de télévision alternative afin de permettre l’expression d’opinions différentes de celles des medias traditionnels.

Hadjizadeh et Milli ont mené des actions pacifiques de protestations contre, notamment, l’interdiction de diffusion des radios étrangères et la loi restrictive sur les ONG. Ils se sont attachés à diffuser, via internet, des informations sans censure.

Les vidéos et articles postés par Adnan Hadjizadeh et Emin Milli, critiques, parfois satyriques, étaient très populaires parmi les jeunes azerbaidjanais.

Récemment, le gouvernement azerbaidjanais a acheté un âne pour 41000$. Adnan Hadjizadeh a alors posté une vidéo tournant en dérision cet achat absurde. La vidéo mettait en scène un âne donnant une conférence de presse et jouant du violon. Cette vidéo a irrité au plus au point les autorités et a déclenché l'arrestation des blogueurs.

Le 8 juillet 2009, Adnan Hadjizade (26 ans) et Emin ‘Milli’Abdullayev (30 ans) ont été arrêtés et accusés de hooliganisme (Article 221du Code Pénal Azerbaidjanais).


Les faits

Les faits conduisant à leur arrestation ont débuté tandis qu’ils dinaient dans un restaurant libanais à Bakou. Deux jeunes « sportifs », Babek Huseynov et Vusal Mammadov, les attaquèrent.
Précisons que de nombreux témoins étaient présents sur les lieux.


Sérieusement blessés, Hadjizadeh et Milli se sont rendus au poste de police de Sabail afin d’y déposer une plainte. Après un interrogatoire qui s’est transformé en garde à vue de plusieurs heures (5 à 7 heures selon les rapports), ils furent, contre toute attente, conduits au centre de détention du poste de police de Khatai.

La police ne permit aux détenus ni de contacter immédiatement leurs avocats, ni de bénéficier des soins médicaux urgents.

Ces faits furent confirmés le 9 juillet par le responsable du Comité Azerbaïdjanais pour la Prévention de la Torture (ACAT).

 
Hadjizade et Milli furent enfin autorisés à voir leurs avocats, Isakhan Ashurov et Elton Guliyev, le 9 juillet à 15 heures.  Ils furent alors examinés par un médecin. Entre autres blessures, Hadjizade a le nez cassé et des blessures mineures, et Milli a une coupure au pied, des ecchymoses sur le visage et à l’œil, ainsi que des blessures mineures.


Le lendemain 10 juillet, ils furent interrogés au poste de police de Sabail de 11h à 16h.

A 19h, eut lieu une audience préliminaire au tribunal de Sabail : ils furent accusés de hooliganisme.

Journalistes, défenseurs des droits de l’homme, représentants des organisations internationales et ambassades ne furent pas admis à l’audience qui se déroula à huis clos. Huseynov et Mammadov, les agresseurs, témoignèrent en tant que victimes. En revanche, les témoins de la défense ne furent pas entendus. Le juge rendit une décision de placement en détention provisoire pour une durée de deux mois.


Actions

Le 9 juillet, le « comité public de protection des jeunes Adnan HADJI-ZADEH et Emin MILLI » s’est créé. Il a organisé une conférence de presse avec les défenseurs des droits de l’homme, les représentants des organisations internationales, des ONG et des ambassades. Un appel a été lancé au Président et au Ministre de l’intérieur.

Le même jour, un groupe de jeunes étudiants azerbaïdjanais s’est rendu devant le Conseil de l’Europe pour dénoncer l’arrestation de Hadjizadeh et Milli.

Le 10 juillet, l’ambassadeur allemand, Dr Peer Stanchina, s’est exprimé ainsi que Günter Nooke le secrétaire allemand aux droits de l’homme (« Ombudsman ») qui s’est rendu au commissariat de Sabayil accompagné d’un journaliste allemand de la Deutschlandradio Kultur.

L’Ombudsman a demandé à assister à l’audience, ce qui lui fut refusé.
Il aurait alors déclaré « Si ce cas ne se termine pas aujourd’hui, ce sera un scandale au-delà des frontières de l’Azerbaïdjan ». «Dans cette affaire, les victimes ont été placées au rang d’agresseurs. C’est un signe typique du fonctionnement d’une dictature ».

Le 11 juillet, l’ambassade américaine et le Haut Commissariat aux Nations Unies (UNHCR) ont fait des déclarations publiques.

Le 13 juillet, Reporters sans frontières (RSF) a publié un article appelant au réexamen de l’affaire en urgence, les mesures étant disproportionnées et typiques des décisions judiciaires arbitraires contre les opposants au gouvernement. Le 13 juillet également, une conférence de presse a été organisée par IRFS sur l’affaire. La majorité du public déclarait qu’il s’agissait d’une affaire politique dont les ordres venaient de très haut.

Le ministre britannique des affaires étrangères (Glenys Kinnock) a abordé le cas, oralement, avec le Président ALIYEV lors de sa visite du 13 juillet à Londres.

Le 14 juillet, l’Organisation mondiale contre la torture (OMCT) a écrit une lettre ouverte appelant à la libération des blogueurs. Le 15 juillet, le député européen Cem Özdemir, le Conseil consultatif de sécurité outre-mer (Overseas Security Advisory Council) et l’EDRI (European Digital Rights) se sont également exprimés publiquement.

Reporters sans frontière a envoyé une lettre au ministre de la justice azerbaidjanais le 16 juillet. De même, le 16 juillet, Gunter Nooke (Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Aid of Germany) a fermement condamné la situation et déclaré : « Les autorités suppriment l’opposition et empêchent leur accès aux médias. (…) Les tribunaux ne sont indépendants que sur le papier. Les juges reçoivent des ordres des hautes sphères sur la façon dont ils doivent agir. L’arrestation récente de deux défenseurs des droits de l’homme confirme cela. »
Le même jour, des membres du Parlement britannique ont condamné l’agression et l’arrestation des deux blogueurs et appelé à leur libération immédiate. De même, Miklos Harastzi, Haut Représentant aux médias de l’OSCE a déclaré que les deux blogueurs étaient innocents et que l’Azerbaïdjan était l’Etat de l’OSCE ayant le plus de journalistes emprisonnés.

L’ONG « Impunity watch reporters », la mission du Conseil de l’Europe à Bakou, l’ONU, Amnesty International, la maison des droits de l’homme, et la FIDH, entre autres, ont également dénoncé la situation.


L’audience d’appel s’est déroulée à huis clos, le 20 juillet, et l’appel a été rejeté. David Kramer, député et ancien secrétaire d’Etat (USA) a aussitôt déclaré être choqué et appelé à la libération de Hadjizadeh et Milli ainsi qu’à l’arrestation des personnes qui les avaient agressés au restaurant.

Des rassemblements devant les ambassades d’Azerbaïdjan à Paris, Washington, La Haye et Londres se sont déroulés en juillet et août 2009.

Une plainte a été déposée par les blogueurs au sujet du déroulement de leur garde à vue mais, le 23 juillet, la Cour de Sabail a rendu une décision de rejet.
RSF a alors publié un nouveau communiqué dénonçant cette situation préoccupante.

Lors de la réunion du Conseil Permanent de l’OSCE à Vienne, le 23 juillet, la Présidence suédoise de l’U.E. a appelé l’Azerbaïdjan à respecter ses engagements internationaux dans le traitement de l’affaire de HadjiZadeh et Milli. La mission américaine est également intervenue pour demander la libération des deux jeunes.

La communauté internationale (OI, Ambassades et ONG) a multiplié les déclarations. La société civile azerbaïdjanaise s’est également mobilisée. Le mouvement azerbaidjanais de protection de la jeunesse organise des conférences, des pétitions, une campagne de vidéopétitions et a envoyé une lettre ouverte, signé par de nombreux citoyens, au Président de la République d’Azerbaïdjan.

Pourtant, les autorités persistent dans cette illégalité. Le ministère de l’intérieur et le procureur général de l’Azerbaïdjan, perturbés par ces actions, ont appelé la communauté internationale à ne pas intervenir et à ne pas croire les blogueurs. Il est également tenté de présenter ces deux jeunes militants pacifiques comme des « jeunes préparant une révolution orange orchestrée par l’Europe de l’Ouest ».


Le procès au fond : Hadjizadeh et Milli sont jugés pour hooliganisme

Lors de l'audience de mise en état, le 8 septembre 2009, toutes les motions de la défense ont été rejetées alors que les témoins et preuves présentés par l'accusation ont été admis sans discussion.
Le juge a également refusé de libérer les deux jeunes sous caution. Ils resteront donc détenus jusqu'au jugement.

La première audience au fond s'est tenue le 16 septembre 2009 au Tribunal de Sabayil à Bakou.
Les azerbaijanais soutenant Adnan Hadjizadeh et Emin Milli étaient nombreux à se réunir devant le tribunal. Certains d'entre eux portaient des t-shirts « Moi aussi je suis un hooligan » (Men de xuliqanam) pour tourner en dérision l'accusation ridicule pesant sur Hadjizadeh et Milli.

C'est ainsi que six jeunes portant ces t-shirts ont été arrêtés, avant même le début de l'audience, et détenus au commissariat quelques heures.
Hadjizadeh et Milli étaient présents dans la salle d'audience mais placés dans une cage et menottés.

Vusal Mammadov, une des personnes ayant frappé Hadjizadeh et Milli, a été entendu comme prétendue « victime ». L'homme s'est contredit à plusieurs reprises. Il a été incapable de donner l'adresse figurant sur sa carte d'identité.(!) Par ailleurs, à la question « qui vous a frappé? », Mammadov a répondu « Probablement, un de ces deux garçons ».

Lors de la suspension d'audience, certains ont cru voir le juge s'éloigner et s'entretenir avec Mammadov et son avocat...

La deuxième audience a eu lieu le 18 septembre 2009. (« comédie acte II »)
La deuxième prétendue « victime », Babek Husseynov, a été entendue. Il a déclaré : « Adnan m'a poussé et s'est cassé le nez tout seul en tombant sur la table vers laquelle il m'avait poussé ».
Il a également précisé avoir écrit une déclaration lorsqu'il était au commissariat. Lorsqu'on lui a demandé « Qu'avez-vous écrit ? », il a répondu « ce que la police m'a dit »!
Le tribunal a une fois de plus décidé de reporter la suite du procès à une prochaine audience fixée au 29 septembre.

Les autorités reportent le procès afin que les supporters des blogueurs ainsi que les observateurs internationaux se lassent. Ils espèrent que le soutien diminue, que les supporters viennent moins nombreux et que la médiatisation cesse.

La mobilisation de la société civile et la pression internationale embarrassent les autorités qui ne s'attendaient pas à un tel mouvement.

Il faut donc continuer à soutenir Adnan Hadjizadeh et Emin Milli.
Le soutien doit émaner non seulement de la société civile azerbaïdjanaise, mais aussi de la communauté internationale. Les médias doivent couvrir et dénoncer ce procès monté de toute pièce. Les organisations internationales et ONG ont appelé à la libération d'Adnan Hadjizadeh et Emin Milli. Cette pression internationale doit continuer.

Adnan Hadjizadeh et Emin Milli encourent 2 à 5 ans d’emprisonnement.

Don't let the Azerbaijani youth alone, support Adnan and Emin.


Reportage exposant la situation : « The newest history of Azerbaijan »
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKBjCJF7KQY&feature=PlayList&p=C0AB533D4646469A

film d'animation fait par le comité de défense des droits de la jeunesse
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvmMq5RY3Dw&feature=PlayList&p=C0AB533D4646469A&index=6

Toutes les informations sur http://ol-en.blogspot.com/
Y figure notamment la campagne de vidéopétitions http://videopetition.blogspot.com/

Aujourd'hui, le 24 août 2009, l'avocat d'Adnan Hadjizadeh, Maître Ashurov, s'est exprimé lors d'une conférence de presse organisée en soutien aux blogueurs arbitrairement arrêtés et détenus.

A cette occasion, il a révélé que les "investigations" étaient terminées et que l'audience au fond aurait lieu très prochainement devant le Tribunal de Sabail à Bakou. Ashurov a ajouté que l'acte d'accusation s'allongeait puisque les deux blogueurs sont à présent poursuivis pour ce que l'on pourrait traduire "atteinte volontaire à la santé d'autrui" ("deliberate inflicting of serious damage to health"), infraction connexe au délit d'houliganisme.

L'accusation est d'autant plus choquante que les deux jeunes hommes ont été victimes, et non auteurs, de violences.

En outre, Ashurov a ajouté que Hikmet Hadjizadeh, le père d'Adnan, avait porté plainte pour violation du droits des parents à visiter leur enfant incarcéré. En effet, Hikmet Hadjizadeh n'a pas été autorisé à voir son fils depuis son placement en détention provisoire. Ces demandes ont été systématiquement rejetées sans qu'aucune justification ne soit avancée, et ce en violation, notamment, de l'article 8 de la Convention Européenne des Droits de l'Homme (droit à une vie privée et familiale).

M. Hadjizadeh reste toutefois très réservé sur ses chances de succès et a annoncé qu'il présenterait, en cas de rejet de sa plainte devant les juridictions azerbaïdjanaise, une requête devant la Cour Européenne des Droits de l'Homme.

On ne peut que comprendre son pessimisme dans la mesure où l'on assiste, depuis le 8 juillet 2009, à une parodie de justice.

En effet, rappelons que les deux blogueurs ont été déboutés de toutes leurs demandes qu'il s'agisse des procédures relatives à la détention provisoire, à la garde à vue, ou de la plainte déposée pour atteinte à la présomption d'innocence du fait de déclarations du ministre de l'intérieur préjugeant de la culpabilité d'Adnan Hadjizadeh et Emin Milli.

L'Azerbaïdjan est une "république démocratique" où l'on est libre de parler tant que l'on évite d'aborder des sujets tels que le gouvernement, la condition des droits de l'homme, les grandes industries, la politique, les maltraitances, la partialité des juges, le pétrole, les ONG, les radios étrangères, la liberté de la presse, la valeur marchande d'un âne etc etc etc

Etre journalistes ou dissident n'expose pas à des agressions ou à des peines de prison, en principe, sauf pour Fatullayev, Elmar Husseynov, Ganimat Zahidov, Agil Khalil, Leyla Yunus, Adnan Hadjizadeh, Emin Milli etc etc etc

Mais à part ça tout va bien! Nous sommes bien dans une république démocratique avec cette précision que la république est héréditaire et la démocratie du plus fort est toujours la meilleure.

In August 24, 2009, 10.30, Sabayil r-n Court will hold a hearings on Complaint of Hikmet Hajizada on Ziya Aliyev, Senior Investigator, Sabayil district police, on violation of the parents rights to visit Adnan Hajizada in prison. Court will go public.



Avqustun 24, 2009, 10.30, Sabayil Mehkemsinde Hikmet Hajizadenin mustentiq Ziya Aliyeva qarshi shikayetine baxilacaq. Shikayetde Ziya Aliyev valideynlerin Adnan Hacizade ile g@rush vermekden imtina ederek Konstitusiyamiz ve Evropa Konvensiyasinda tesbit edilmish aile huququnu pozmaqda ittiham edilir. Mehkeme achiq kechirilecek.



24 августа 2009, Сабаильский суд рассмотрит жалобу Хикмета Гаджи-заде на следователя Зию Алиева, отказывающего родителям во встречи с их арестованным сыном Аднаном Гаджи-заде. Суд будет открытым.