Defence appeals against arrest of website "Azel.tv" editor

There is no need to keep Afghan Sadygov, the editor-in-chief of the Azerbaijani website "Azel.tv" in custody for the period of investigation, his advocate believes. His wife treats the case against Afghan as a provocation.

The General Prosecutor's Office (GPO) of Azerbaijan has informed that Sadygov is charged with extortion and arrested for four months. His wife believes that he is persecuted for his journalistic work.

According to investigators, on May 9, Afghan Sadygov and Sakit Muradov, the manager of the website "Xəbərfakt.az" met officials of the city of Sumgait and demanded from them 15 thousand manats (about USD 9000) under a threat to post compromising materials on them.

"Afghan Sadygov said that he had been engaged in journalism for many years; he criticized senior officials and would never have gone to receive money from them," said Zibeida Sadygova, his advocate.

"We covered problems of Sumgait residents after their complaints. Local entrepreneurs complained about harassment by officials; residents complained about tree felling and communal problems," said Sevindj Sadygova, Afghan's wife.

Khalid Agaliev, a lawyer at the Institute of Media Rights, has noted that the "Xəbərfakt.az" is "a website absolutely loyal to the authorities."

Emin Guseinov, Executive Director of the Institute of Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS), believes that Sadygov "could be drawn into a provocation."

"Sadygov's website is opposite of Muradov's one. There are reasons to believe that they are different in their worldviews. I don't know what could unite them," Mr Guseinov has stated.