Journalists arrested in the “Meydan TV case” have issued an appeal to the diplomatic corps operating in Azerbaijan. We present the appeal as it is:
We, journalists arrested in connection with the “Meydan TV case,” ask representatives of the diplomatic corps operating in Azerbaijan, especially the European Union Office in Baku and the embassies of the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, and France, to attend and monitor our court hearings held at the Baku Court of Grave Crimes. The lack of independent media and the absence of visual coverage of the proceedings by the press are undermining our basic right to a fair defense.
The presiding judge, Aytan Aliyeva, behaves like someone who cannot control her nerves and is incapable of listening, recognizing no one’s right to speak except the state prosecutor. The judge is violating the requirements of Article 81.2 of the Criminal Procedure Code. According to this article, she must ensure a fair examination of the criminal case and comply with procedural requirements concerning the conduct of persons participating in the court session. Judge Aytan Aliyeva expects us to limit ourselves to answering her questions only with “yes” or “no.” She does not even refrain from making threats.
While the law grants individuals to state and justify their own guilt or innocence, Aytan Aliyeva does not allow the detained journalists this opportunity. She does not even allow our legal defenders to speak, constantly saying “sit down” and “be quiet,” not allowing people to finish their thoughts, and when faced with objections, she suspends the proceedings and leaves the courtroom. In short, Judge Aytan Aliyeva, who is unable to manage the process, is violating the requirements of Articles 91.5.13 (making objections and motions), 91.5.17 (declaring guilt or innocence), 91.5.38 (expressing opinions on motions and proposals made by other participants in criminal proceedings, as well as issues decided by the court), and 91.5.39 (expressing objections to unlawful actions of the other party) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Azerbaijani officials respond to calls for the journalists’ release by saying, “The trial is still ongoing; we believe a fair decision will be made.” You can come to the court and monitor it yourselves to see that expecting justice from a court where even the simple right of reply is not respected is naive.
We recognize that Aytan Aliyeva is not the authority deciding our fate and thus regards hearing us as a waste of time. However, this performance staged by the authorities is being legitimized under her chairmanship. From the very first hearing, the judge has created conditions only for the state prosecutor, thereby revealing her side, taking away our right to speak, and even behaving rudely.
We call for international oversight of the trial of those arrested in the “Meydan TV case” and invite all embassies to attend.
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