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Baku Court of Appeal reduces sentence of imprisoned “Gundelik Baki” editor-in-chief reduced

29 July 2025 18:48 (UTC +04:00)

The Baku Court of Appeal has reviewed the appeal against the verdict concerning Habil Valiyev, the imprisoned founder and editor-in-chief of the newspaper “Gundelik Baki” (Daily Baku), APA reports.

The court verdict has been amended

A decision was announced today at a hearing presided over by Judge Zafar Ahmadov. The court ruled to amend the initial verdict, reducing Habil Valiyev’s sentence by one year.

The nature of the charges

For context, the Baku Court on Grave Crimes had previously sentenced Habil Valiyev to 8 years in prison. He was arrested following complaints submitted by a citizen to law enforcement agencies.

Valiyev is accused of blackmailing several individuals. He was charged under Articles 182.2.2 (extortion committed repeatedly) and 182.2.4 (extortion with the intent to obtain a large amount of property) of the Criminal Code.

Habil Valiyev had previously served a 4-year prison sentence on similar charges.

Seljan Zaurgizi

Habil Valiyev Gundelik Baki editor-in-chief sentence reduction appeal court Azerbaijan judiciary blackmail charges criminal case prison sentence Baku court