Khadija Ismayilova Sentenced To 7.5 years in jail

September 1, Baku Court of Grave Crimes sentenced investigative journalist and the host of daily radio show on AzadliqRadiosu Khadija Ismayilova to 7 years and 6 months. Ismayilova was acquitted on the charge of incitement to attempt side under Article 125.

According to Khadija Ismayilova's lawyer Fariz Namazli who spoke to AzadliqRadiosu shortly after the sentence, "The court found Khadija guilty based on charges of embezzlement and misappropriation (Aritlce 179) during Ismayilova's time as the Baku bureau chief; illegal business (Article 192) accusing Ismayilova for running Baku bureau without broadcast license; evading taxes (Article 213) while working for RFE/RL as a journalist; and abusing power (Article 308) as Baku bureau chief, working without an accreditation."

The verdict had 7 hears for embezzlement and misappropriation; 3 years for illegal business; 2 years for tax evasion; 4 years for abuse of power but the final sentence was reduced to 7 years and 6 months.

The sentence also included a three year ban on any government employment positions and demanded her to pay the costs of the trial in the total amount of 300USD.  

Source: http://www.azadliq.org