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Parviz Hashimli, independent journalist of "Bizim Yol" Azerbaijani newspaper, who was arrested in Baku is tortured, however, the Court turns a blind eye on it, the statement of the Amnesty International reads.

On 13 December hearing took place at Sabail District Court to assess Parviz Hashimli’s application for a transfer from the Ministry of National Security (MNS) Investigative Detention Centre to the Baku City Investigative Detention Centre. Parviz Hashimli in a protest refused to take part in the hearing when the judge ignored his pleas for the return of his hand-written notes confiscated by MNS officials.

These notes allegedly contained details of his torture and ill-treatment. As he was escorted out of the court and into a waiting car, Parviz Hashimli managed to shout to journalists and onlookers that he had been tortured.

In this concern Amnesty International calls for sending letters in English, Russian and Azerbaijani addressed to Prosecutor General Zakir Qaralov, Minister of National Security Eldar Mahmudov and Ombudsman Elmira Suleymanova, urging them to promptly launch an effective investigation into Parviz Hashimli’s alleged ill-treatment.

Amnesty International also calls on the authorities urging them to ensure that Parviz Hashimli is not blindfolded and that, officials responsible for escorting or questioning do not wear masks obscuring their identities. The organization also calls on the authorities urging them to ensure that all those found responsible for committing torture and other ill-treatment are brought to justice and officials who are alleged to be responsible are immediately suspended from their duties.

The employee of independent newspaper "Bizim Yol" (Our way) and director of the site “Moderator.az” Parviz Hashimli was arrested on 17 September 2013 Azerbaijan. Hashimli was detained at the editorial office of the site “Moderator.az” by the MNS officers. The MNS officers entered Hashimli’s private house in Baladzhary village and the editorial office of "Bizim Yol" newspaper at the same time. MNS officers "found" 30 grenades and a pistol in Hashimli’s house. Wife of the journalist noted that weapons were brought into the house by the MNS staff.