Polad Israyil oglu Aslanov – Editor-in-Chief of the www.xeberman.com and www.press- az.com websites Arrested: 12 June 2019 Charge: Article 274 (Treason to the state) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic.
On 14 June 2019, the Baku City Sabayil District Court issued a ruling on imposing a preventive measure against Polad Aslanov in the form of 4-month detention.
The period of detention in custody during the investigation has been subsequently extended times.
Sentence: On 16 November 2020, the Baku City Court for Serious Crimes sentenced to 16 years in prison.
The trial was behind the closed door.
On 24 February 2022, the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan reviewed the cassation appeal submitted by Polad Aslanov.
In the course of the hearing, the defence lawyer, Elchin Sadigov, pointed out that the charges against the journalist had been groundless.
Polad Aslanov stated before the Court that he and his family had been subjected to pressure for three years following his arrest.
He urged the Supreme Court to restore justice so that he would not attempt to seek justice in the European Court of Human Rights.
The Court partially modified the Baku City Court of Appeal's verdict, reducing the sentence from 16 to 13 years imprisonment.
On 4 November 2024, Polad Aslanov declared a hunger strike calling for the political prisoners' release.
Afterwards, he was transferred from the colony No. 1 to No. 15, where the conditions of detention were much worse.
Place of detention: Penal Colony № 15 at the Boyuk Shor settlement in Baku City Nizami District Conclusion: Polad Aslanov pleaded not guilty and linked the arrest to his journalistic activities, since in his articles he wrote and mentioned the names of the Ministry of National Security officers (now the State Security Service) who take bribes from Azerbaijani pilgrims traveling to holy places when they cross the border. 3
