Azerbaijan: Bloggers Take Stand in Own Defense

Jailed Azerbaijani youth activists-bloggers Adnan Hajizade and Emin Milli testified in their own defense on October 9, repeating earlier arguments that the state's accusations of hooliganism are intended to silence their criticism of the government.

Both young men largely repeated what has become the defense's standard line of argument during the one-month trial - that the duo were attacked on July 8 in a Baku cafe by the two men, Vasul Mammadov and Babek Huseynov, who now claim to be the victims of an attack by Hajizade and Milli.

"I am innocent. I beat nobody," Hajizade declared. "My life's principles are non-violence and pacifism and they are the slogans of our youth movement of which I am a member."

Hajizade, a co-founder of the OL (To Be) youth movement, claimed that Mammadov and Huseynov had attacked Milli and him while the two were discussing upcoming municipal elections and how to educate young people about the vote. After Milli expressed criticism of the government, Mammadov allegedly appeared at their table and threw two punches at Milli before turning on Hajizade, in Hajizade's words.

Hajizade claimed that he suffered injuries to his head, face and that his t-shirt "was completely covered in blood." He also alleged "strong headaches;" Milli's leg, he said, "was covered in blood."

"No one performed a proper medical examination of us. All these facts were not recorded in the document by the investigator," he claimed.

Hajizade claims to suffer from problems breathing, frequent headaches and insomnia. Medical examiners reportedly found, however, that he needs no special treatment. The judge agreed to consider a motion to exclude the medical expert's examination of Hajizade and Milli as "biased and unfair."

The youth activist linked his detention with his work.

"I often expressed my critical views against corruption and bribe-taking. It seems that someone did not like this," he said.

Hajizade claimed that he had felt himself to be under surveillance in the days leading up to the brawl and alleged that he had seen Mammadov in his neighborhood during that time.

Expressing congratulations to court attendees on the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, fellow detainee Milli seconded Hajizade's testimony.

The next trial date has been scheduled for October 13, when the owner of the cafe where the brawl took place, and alleged victims Mammadov and Huseynov are expected to appear.