Lawyer Fariz Namazli speaks following the sentence
AzadliqRadiosu: How do you evaluate the sentence?
Fariz Namazli: Today the court sentenced Khadija Ismayil. As opposed to our expectations, the court acquitted Khadija Ismayil on the charge of incitement to attempt suicide [Article 125 of the Criminal Code]. The court reconsidered Tural Mustafayev's statement in court and found his testimony honest and sincere. And taking into account other statements and that there was enough evidence to prove Khadija Ismayil's innocence the court acquitted her on these charges. However the court found Khadija Ismayil guilty on all other charges depriving her of holding positions within government or municipality for three years and sentencing her to 7 years and 6 months.
AzadliqRadiosu: What about other criminal charges?
Tax evasion (Article 213)- 2 years; embezzlement and misappropriation (Article 179)- 7 years; abuse of power (Article 308)- 5years; and illegal business (Article 192)- 3years; in addition to holding positions within government or municipality for three years with final sentence of seven years and six months.
AzadliqRadiosu: Are you planning to appeal? And what was Khadija's reaction?
Of course we are going to appeal.
Khadija was surprised, she was expecting a longer sentence. And of course acquittal was also unexpected for us. We have not seen an acquittal in these kind of cases at all.
here is full interview with #KhadijaIsmayil mom following the sentence today #FreeKhadija http://t.co/786gKkD6Ch
— Arzu Geybulla (@arzugeybulla) 1.9.2015
Khadija Ismayilova mom talks to reporters following the sentence: "The government is afraid and so they are hiding her!"
"Elmira Ismayilova: The government is afraid of Khadija and is trying to hide this.
Q. How do you evaluate the sentence?
Negative. How else you think I can evaluate it?!
Q. Did they read out the sentence?
Yes they did. They sentenced her to 7 years and 6 months. They basically did what they wanted to - removed her. But Khadija won't stop. Her mouth won't close. Her pen won't dry. She will continue to talk, and continue to write. She is a fighter. And she is very strong. And she told everyone to stay strong and continue the fight.
Q. What did Khadija herself say about the sentence?
She didn't say anything. She only laughed. Just like she always does. And she told me to say hi to everyone and tell everyone they should stay strong and step up the fight. And that they should not be afraid of anything. No one should be afraid of the court. It's not that frigthening.
Q. Do you have somethingt to say to the judge? Or the judicial system?
What can I say to a judge who failed to carry out the responsibilities?!
Q. And what about the government?
I have nothing to say to the government. What do you tell a government which failed to respond to all her investigative work and instead chose to hide her?! Maybe there is something I could tell them -either fix yourself up or get out.
Q. And is there anything you would like to tell the community?
I already said it- take up the fight. Stand hand in hand even if its 10 people and fight back. Let 10 people call another 10 people and turn into hundreds, thousands and millions and fight."
#KhadijaIsmayil mother in an interview after today's sentence: "the govt.is afraid" #FreeKhadija http://t.co/Hqo3lwc3Hc
— Arzu Geybulla (@arzugeybulla) 1.9.2015