Detained Azeri journalist’s family gets political asylum in SwitzerlandDecember 22, 2014 - 16:14 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Family members of Azerbaijani journalist Rauf Mirkadyrov detained on April 18 in Ankara were granted political asylum in Switzerland, the court’s official notification said. As Panormama.am reported, citing Caucasian Knot, the Bern court studied the case on the status of family members of Rauf Mirkadirov December 17 and heard the testimonies by Mirkadirov‘s wife Adel Babakhanova and their elder daughter Souad. According to Azerbaijani Turan news agency, some documents have been provided by international human rights organizations and relevant agencies in Switzerland. Rauf Mirkadirov, columnist at Azerbaijani newspaper Zerkalo, was arrested on April 18 in Ankara on charges of expiration of documents. On April 19, Mirkadirov was deported to Azerbaijan, where he immediately was arrested and put in custody by the Ministry of National Srcurity on suspicion of high treason. On April 21, the court in Baku sanctioned his arrest for three months. Mirkadirov is accused of cooperating with Armenia’s special services and divulging secret state-level information. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |