Notes of an accused man

Abstract

Ayaz Akhmedov, editor of the satirical newspaper Cheshma (Spring) was put on trial in Baku from 3-19 October 1995 with three other journalists. He was found guilty under article 188-6 part 2 of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic — 'Insulting the honour and dignity of the president of the republic through the mass media' — and was sentenced to five years' imprisonment. On 11 November of the same year he was pardoned and released from custody by decree of President Heydar Aliyev