Today, 16 September, in the Sabail District Court, under the chairmanship of judge Araz Huseynov, a hearing was held on the criminal case opened under articles 221.2.1 (hooliganism) and 127 (inflicting intentional minor bodily harm) against young bloggers Emin Abdullayev (Millli) and Adnan Hajizade.  

Although the representatives of diplomatic corps were allowed to enter the court hall, the court inspectors did not allow many media or NGO representatives including the employees of the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom to monitor the hearing, saying that there were not enough seats in the hall.
After the hearing lawyer Isakhan Ashurov told IRFS that Vusal Mammadov and Babek Huseynov gave witness accounts as injured party. They said that A.Hajizade and Emin Abdullayev used inappropriate language in the restaurant and therefore they objected to them. As a result, they were allegedly beaten by Emin and Adnan. Babek Huseynov said that several girls sitting at the other table were uncomfortable when they heard swearing; therefore they objected to Adnan and Milli. As it was the end of the work day, a break was announced and the next hearing was scheduled to take place on 18 September at 3:00 p.m.
Before the hearing began, six young adults who were wearing tee-shirts with the inscription “I am also a hooligan” were taken to the Sabail District Police Department Police Unit 9 at 2:45 p.m., and were held there until 6:00 p.m.
About seventy monitors, who were not permitted to enter the court hall, waited outside the court building, and chanted slogans – “Freedom” – when Adnan and Emin were taken away in the car of the Penitentiary Services.
On 8 July, at approximately 8:00 p.m., Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade were sitting at a table in “Lebonese” (Livan) restaurant along with several other young adults, when two people that looked like sportsmen came up to them, and attacked them causing physical injuries. Although they appealed to police as victims, police detained Adnan and Emin as suspected persons for 48 hours and freed the attackers. On 10 July, Sabail District Court issued a decision under article 221.2.1 (hooliganism) of the Criminal Code to sentence Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade to two months pre-trial detention. On July 20 the Appellate Court upheld the decision of the lower court. The investigation of the criminal case was concluded and a criminal case under articles 221.2.1 (hooliganism) and 127 (inflicting intentional minor bodily harm) was opened against E.Millli and A.Hajizade and the case was sent to court to be considered.

PHOTO: http://www.irfs.az/component/option,com_datsogallery/Itemid,30/func,viewcategory/catid,317/lang,az/