Hilal Mammedov
Hilal Mammedov is a journalist and human rights activist, speaking up for minority groups in Azerbaijan. He is the chief editor of the Baku-based newspaper "Tolyshi Sado" (The Voice of Talysh), printed in Azerbaijan's minority language, Talysh. He was also head of a committee fighting to defend a well-known Talysh scientist and human rights activist who was imprisoned for 10 years on spying charges and eventually died in prison. Having already been arrested in 2008 and charged with spying for Iran, Hilal Mammedov was apprehended once again on June 21, 2012 and accused of possession of illegal drugs. His trial began on January 29, 2013 at the Baku Court of Grave Crimes. The hearing took place behind closed doors, despite requests to have a public trial. On September 27, 2013 Judge Azer Orujov found Mamedov guilty of selling drugs, high treason for espionage for Iran and incitement to national, racial, social and religious hatred and hostility. He was sentenced to five years imprisonment. On January 21, 2014 the Baku Court rejected an appeal on behalf of Mamedov and upheld the original verdict. Mammedov's family insists he has never used any such drugs and the arrest was politically motivated. Azerbaijani authorities repeatedly deny that there are any political prisoners in the country.
Hilal Mammedov was RELEASED on March 17, 2016 after receiving a pardon.
Updates
- Four journalists, human rights lawyer pardoned in Azerbaijan, On March 17, President Ilham Aliyev issued a decree pardoning 148 prisoners, including Hilal Mammedov (March 17, 2016, Committee to Protect Journalists).