HILAL MAMMADOV SENTENCED TO 3 MONTH OF PRE-TRIAL DETENTION

Nizami District Court has sentenced the Tolishi-Sado newspaper editor-in-chief Hilal Mammadov to 3 months of pre-trial detention under drugs charges. Mammadov is the author of the well-known video Who are you, go away, which has been widely disseminated via social networking sites. His lawyer Anar Gasimli spoke to Objective TV today, reporting that Mammadov had been detained on June 21st by officers from the Nasimi District Police Department, and a criminal case was opened against him under Article 234.4.3 (illegal manufacture, purchase, storage, transfer, transport or sale of drugs in a large quantity), on the grounds that he was found to be in possession of 33 grams of heroin. Police searched his apartment and allegedly found drugs in a shirt pocket.
Hilal Mammadov told the investigation team that he is not a drug user and that he believes his arrest is connected with his human rights work and political activities.