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Founder and editor-in-chief of â€œTolishi Sadoâ€ newspaper accused of spying

04 July 2012 12:40 (UTC +04:00)

Baku â€“ APA. â€œThe incorrect provocative reports, intended to confuse the public opinion concerning the illegal arrest of founder and editor-in-chief of â€œTolishi Sadoâ€ newspaper Hilal Mammadov due to professional activity have been recently released in some media outlets. In this respect, we say that the launch of criminal case on Hilal Mammadov and sending him to pretrial detention are due to the commitment of concrete socially dangerous actâ€, says the joint statement of General Prosecutorâ€™s office and Interior Ministry, APA reports.

According to information, Mammadov was involved in cooperation by intelligence agency of one of the foreign countries and was detained on June 21, 2012 on the basis of citizenâ€™s complaint that he functioned against state security and territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan, stirred up national, religious, racial hatred and hostility, as well as was engaged in drug trafficking.

The investigation determined that Mammadov, who took advantage of journalism profession and post of head of cultural center for many years, has been involved in secret cooperation by employee of Iranian intelligence agency Abdoli Ali Hamzali since 1992, functioned to the detriment of sovereignty, state security and territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan and was regularly obtaining money in return.

On basis of tasks, Mammadov gathered necessary reports for using in hostile activity against our republic, sent them to Iranian intelligence agency, as well as betrayed the state. Mammadov, who continued his criminal activity, united with Abdoli Ali Hamzali and the others in order to shake the security of constitutional building of the state, expressed opinions damaging the life, culture, traditions, belief and respect to the history and low-numbered peoples of our republic in his speeches in conferences in Iran, interviews in â€œSahar-2â€ TV channel, his articles in â€œTolishi Sadoâ€ newspaper and his books.

33,183 gram heroin, as well as a computer, used by him in illegal activity and the other information carriers were revealed and seized as a result of search on him and in his house with the participation of case witnesses during Mammadovâ€™s detention.

Hilal Mammadov was sent to pretrial detention by the order of court on the Criminal Code Article #274 (State betray), 283.2.2 (Excitation of national, racial or religious hostility) and 234.4.3 (Illegal manufacturing, purchase, storage, transportation, transfer or selling of narcotics, psychotropic substances)

Hilam Mammadovâ€™s rights such as taking a legal advice affirmed in the legislation, having a lawyer, refusal from testimony and participation in the investigative act was completely ensured and all these processes were carried out by his defender.

Joint investigative group consisting of employees of the General Prosecutorâ€™s Office, Ministry of National Security and Ministry of Internal Affairs has been created for purpose of ensuring the integrity, comprehensive and objectivity of the criminal case. Investigative actions are being carried out.