On March 15, "Dalga" (Youth) movement held a flash mob supportive of "Ganun" publishing house. Though the action was initially planned to be held in front of the Ministry of Taxes, the police did not allow this. The activists expressed their support to the "Ganun" publishing house sitting in Huseyn Javid park and reading books of the publishing house. The action started and ended peacefully. Note that the publishing house faces pressures and is under threat of suspension. It has already been fined 150 thousand manat. Criminal case has been opened in the Investigation Office of the Department of Preliminary Investigation of Tax Crimes under the Ministry of Taxes. On March 16, a group of traders gathered in front of "Neftchiler" subway station demanding compensation for their dismantled shops. The traders have been displaced by the newly appointed head of the Baku Metro, Zaur Huseynov. The traders demanded a meeting and fair compensation from the leadership of the Metro for the properties they had been deprived of. Note that it is a second action by the traders. During the first protest held the day before, several people were detained. The traders noted that they paid 1500 manat to the previous head of the Metro and now they want their money back. "Ethics in social media" was the theme of the Monday's conference of the international NGO IREX, which support the establishment of high-quality media and Internet community in Azerbaijan. The conference, which brought together journalists and experts in the field of online media, was supported by USAID and the British Embassy in Baku. British Ambassador Irfan Siddig and representative of the U.S. embassy on media Jonas Stewart, in their opening speeches expressed their governments' support for social media as an important social communicative means. Chief of Party of IREX-Azerbaijan, Angela Nicoara spoke about the major problems of social media in collecting information. The deputy head of the IREX New Media Project, Alasgar Mammadli, editor-in-chief of Qafqazinfo.az Elbrus Erud, and investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova made speeches at the event. Ioana Avadani, expert from Romania, Ivor Gabor from UK and Randy Covington from the USA joined the discussions over the internet. On March 17, the Shaki Court of Grave Crimes delivered verdict on 18 people charged in connection with Ismayilli events. The court handed down 7 years to the REAL movement leader Ilgar Mammadov and 5 years to the advisor of Musavat party chairman and "Yeni Musavat" newspaper editor Tofig Yagublu. Other accused, Seftar Agamaliyev, Anar Hasanov and Vasif Ibrahimov got 8 years, Elshan Ismayilli 5and a half years, Elshan Gurbanov 5 years, Ganbar Agamaliyev and Jafar Jafarov 4 and a half years and Shukran Mohbaliyev 2 and a half years in jail. Shakir Mustafayev, Jeyhun Abbasov, Sakhavat Samadov, Khayal Sharanov, Rashid Mammadov, Dashgin Agayev, Aydin Jabbarov and Mirkazim Abdullayev were released in the courtroom, receiving suspended sentences. All of the defendants were convicted of organizing a riot and assault on the police. Some were also charged with plundering. Note that on January 23-24 massive riot erupted in Ismayilli. This was caused by arbitrary and abusive behaviour of local officials. 16 Ismayilli dwellers were detained due to this incident. Ilgar Mammadov and Tofig Yagublu were detained on February 4, 2013 in connection with this incident. They were charged with "organizing public disorder" and "resisting the representative of authorities or using violence against them". In late April the charge of "organizing public disorder" was replaced by that of "plotting mass unrest". Numerous local and international rights groups have called for Ilgar Mammadov's and Tofig Yagublu's release and considered charges against them false and politically motivated. Amnesty International has recognized them as prisoners of conscience.  

• published: 20 May 2014
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