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Today court in Azerbaijan pronounced a sentence against Hilal Mamedov, the editor of the "Tolyshi sado" newspaper, who is also known as publisher of the video, "Who are you? Common, goodbye." He was accused of treason, inciting ethnic hatred and drug trafficking. The court found Mamedov guilty on all charges and sentenced to 5 years' imprisonment in a strict regime colony, the Azerbaijani news agency "Turan" reports.

Before the sentence, Hilal Mamedov pronounced his last words and called on the court to issue a fair verdict of acquittal. He expressed his gratitude to all those who supported him since his arrest which took place more than a year ago, and had had problems because of him. Mammadov expressed his special thanks to his lawyers. Regarding the charges, Mamedov called the criminal case issued against him a "shameful stain not only on the law enforcement system in Azerbaijan but also on the image of the country."

"Many representatives of Prosecutor's Office, Ministry of National Security, Ministry of Justice, Prison system recognized this in formal and informal talks. But could do nothing," said Mamedov.

He noted that the court has two options now: to make a fair verdict of acquittal, or a justice miscarriage. "Even in this case, I will not lose courage and I call on those who supported me to do the same,” said Mamedov.

He noted that he got imprisoned because of his struggle for a democratic state and is intended to continue this path.

Later the judge read the verdict. The agency notes that when the judge read the verdict, the audience began cursing the court. Hilal Mamedov, addressed the audience and said that it can only the Lord may condemn him. In addition, he specifically turned to the reporters and said he was not intended to ask for a pardon. Mammadov’s lawyers said the verdict was unjust, unreasonable and that they are going to file an appeal.

"Turan" notes that today's court session was observed by the representatives of the EU, OSCE as well as representatives of the US, Germany, France, Norway, embassy etc.

Hilal Mamedov, editor in chief of the only Talysh newspaper "Tolyshi sado" in Azerbaijan, was arrested by the Azerbaijani police on June 21, 2012. He was charged in drug possession; later on the Azerbaijani MNS has accused him of treason and espionage. Among other things, Mr. Mamedov is known by the popular online video, "Who are you? Common, goodbye!" In summer 2012 three protests were held in front of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Moscow demanding to stop the ethnocide and to release Hilal Mamedov.

Human rights organizations, such as the "Reporters without Borders", protested the arrest of Mammadov and demanded his release. The report of the "Reporters without Borders" says that Hilal Mamedov kept in squalid conditions since his arrest in June of this year on the basis of trumped-up charges. This case, as the organization notes is very similar to the case of Novruzali Mammadov, the predecessor of Hilal Mamedov, who was the editor of "Tolyshi sado."

The previous editor of "Tolyshi sado", Professor Novruzali Mamedov, was arrested by the Azerbaijani special services in 2008. He was also accused of espionage, and died in Azerbaijani prison in the summer of 2009, because of being refused in medical care, emphasize the "Reporters without Borders". Two sons of Mammadov, who were under pressure of the Azerbaijani authorities also died; one of them had a car accident, and the second was beaten every time as he took a parcel to his father.

The Talysh are an indigenous people of that region, a settlement area which covers the southern and northern regions of Azerbaijan province of Iran. The Talysh in Azerbaijan are subjected to harassment on ethnic grounds. According to official data their number in Azerbaijan reaches to 112 thousands, but the Talysh believe that the official data are manyfold underestimated.