BAKU -- A court in Baku has sentenced an Azerbaijani journalist to nine years in prison on bribery-related charges.
Avaz Zeynalli, the chief editor of the independent newspaper "Xural" (Parliament), was found guilty of extorting and accepting a bribe from former parliament deputy Gulyar Ahmadova.
Ahmadova was arrested last month and charged with abuse of public office in order to commit embezzlement.
In September, a video appeared online showing Ahmadova, then a parliamentary deputy with the ruling New Azerbaijan Party, discussing the size of a bribe required to secure a seat in parliament.
Zeynalli pleaded not guilty at his trial, saying the case against him was connected with his work as a journalist.
His lawyer said he will appeal the verdict.
Avaz Zeynalli, the chief editor of the independent newspaper "Xural" (Parliament), was found guilty of extorting and accepting a bribe from former parliament deputy Gulyar Ahmadova.
Ahmadova was arrested last month and charged with abuse of public office in order to commit embezzlement.
In September, a video appeared online showing Ahmadova, then a parliamentary deputy with the ruling New Azerbaijan Party, discussing the size of a bribe required to secure a seat in parliament.
Zeynalli pleaded not guilty at his trial, saying the case against him was connected with his work as a journalist.
His lawyer said he will appeal the verdict.
