Trial Against Journalists Who Incited Islamic Religion Launched In B

TRIAL AGAINST JOURNALISTS WHO INCITED ISLAMIC RELIGION LAUNCHED IN BAKU

PanARMENIAN.Net
20.03.2007 14:33 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Yesterday a trial launched in Sabil district court
of Baku against two Azeri journalists.

Reporter Rafiq Tagi and editor S. Sadagatoglu of "Senet" newspaper are
accused of inciting religious hatred with an article that criticized
Islam. On November 15 the court ordered a 2-month imprisonment
for R. Tagi and S. Sadagatoglu as a preventive punishment. . Tagi’s
November 1, 2006 article titled "Europe and we" asserted that Islamic
religion has suffocated people, pulled them away from freedom and
hindered humanity’s development, and said the Prophet Muhammad
created problems for Eastern countries. R. Tagi and S. Sadagatoglu
were arrested under 283rd article of Azeri Penal Code (inciting
religious, national and racial hatred). First lawyer of defendants
Isahan Ashurov basing on corresponding articles of law demanded to
change preventive punishment for his clients because of violation of
their rights. However the court rejected the petition.

The next hearing is scheduled for April 2, Day.az reported.