UPDATE
May 15, Baku
During the last hearing on May 15 “Bizim Yol” newspaper’s reporter Parviz Hashimli was found guilty and sentenced to eight years in prison. Tavakkul Gurbanov, who was arrested with Mr. Hashimli, testified against him and prosecuted on the same charges, was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison.
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On May 12 human rights activist and “Bizim Yol” newspaper’s staff member’s Parviz Hashimi’s court chaired by Novruz Karimov was held at Baku Court of Grave Crimes. During the hearing, the state prosecutor asked for a 9 years of sentence for Mr. Hashimi.
Mr. Hashimi was detained by the Ministry of National Security on September 17, 2013 and charged with possession and smuggling of firearms and ammunition. Mr. Hashimi does not accept the charges and claims that the person arrested along with him, Tavakkul Gurbanov, was sent by the Ministry of National Security to set up Mr. Hashimi’s arrest with politically motivated false charges. The prosecutor requested a 9 years of sentence for Mr. Gurbanov as well.
Human rights advocacy group Amnesty International recognized Mr. Hashimi as a prisoner of consciousness.
