Lawyer Sadygov: journalist Halil is not let out from Azerbaijan under the order of special agencies

The non-announced ban on departing from Azerbaijan imposed on Agil Halil, a journalist of the oppositional newspaper "Azadlyg" (Freedom), was introduced by the Ministry of National Security (MNS) of Azerbaijan. This is the conclusion made by Elchin Sadygov, journalist's advocate.

For the last five months, the journalist was at least twice an object of physical violence. However, the law enforcement bodies reject any political pretext of attacks on Halil. Now, the Nasiminskiy District Court is considering a criminal case on the fact of attack on Halil on March 13. Certain Sergey Strekalin has been brought to criminal liability with charges under Articles 127.1 ("Deliberate causing of minor health damage") and 234.1 ("Drug dealing and storing").

In spite of the fact that the journalist figures in this case as the victim, during the latest two months the authorities have three times refused to let Mr Halil out of the country.

The latest incident happened in the morning on June 19, when frontier guards did not let the journalist to make a flight out of the country.

Surprisingly, none of the state structures is eager to incur responsibility for this decision. However, the journalist's advocate Elchin Sadygov tends to think that this secret order originates from the Ministry of National Security (MNS). Mr Sadygov told in his interview to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent has declared that his assumptions are based on the "materials of the investigation."

The advocate has informed that he had already addressed the Nasiminskiy District Court on the occasion of the previous bans to Halil to leave the country on May 10 and 11, when he wanted to go to Turkey and Georgia, however, the Court refused to admit the complaint to proceedings. In those days, the journalist was going to leave Azerbaijan because of continuing threats to his safety. Only in the end of May two policemen were appointed to guard the journalist.