The court sentenced the editor of “Demokratik.az” website to 6.5 years of imprisonment – 2024-04-04 18:04:08

On January 25, the Ganja Serious Crimes Court sentenced Osman Narimanoglu (Rzayev), the editor of “Demokratik.az” website, to 6.5 years in prison, accused of demanding bribes.

The state prosecutor requested that he be sentenced to 8 years in prison.

Arzu Rzayeva, the journalist’s wife, told Voice of America that Osman was punished for exposing the facts of corruption.

The defense requested that Rzayev be acquitted as his guilt was not proven. However, the court sentenced the editor to 6.5 years in prison.

The defense intends to file an appeal.

Osman Narimanoglu was arrested on July 5, 2022 on the charge of demanding a bribe. After his arrest, he said that the accusations were fabricated, that he was slandered by the officials and doctors of the Reclamation Department of Goranboy and Goygol districts, who published information about corruption facts on the website.

Human rights defenders recognized Osman Narimanoglu as a political prisoner.

Voice of America