The authority of the Yasamal District Court Judge Sudaba Mammadova, who sentenced Azadlig Newspaper Editor-in-chief Ganimat Zahid to four years under spurious charges, was terminated before its term was over.

This decision was issued in the meeting held by the Court Law Council on 4 February because S.Mammadova committed serious failures and law violations. In addition to S.Mammadova, Binagadi District Court Judge Rasmiyya Gahramanova and Sabunchu District Court Judge Yusif Karimov were stripped of their authority as judges. And a decision was issued to change the work places of Binagadi District Court Judge Svetlana Ismayilova and Yasamal District Court Judge Svetlana Ahmadova as a rule of discipline.

Ganimat Zahid, who has been recognized as prisoner of conscience by international organizations, was convicted under articles 127.2.3 (hooliganism with intentional infliction of minor bodily harm) and 221 (hooliganism) of the Criminal Code and imprisoned for four years.

Azadlig newspaper has been published since 1989 and operates as daily newspaper.