Baku: Today, Baku court rejected the appeal filed by the advocates of Sputnik journalists Igor Kartavikh and Yevgeny Belousov regarding the change of the arrest warrant, APA reports. The decision of the first instance court on the selection of a pre-trial detention measure was upheld.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the legal representatives of Kartavikh and Belousov had sought to alter the terms of their arrest, hoping for a more lenient measure than pre-trial detention. However, the court maintained its initial decision, leaving the executive director and editor-in-chief in custody.
The case has drawn significant attention as it involves key figures from Sputnik Azerbaijan, a prominent media outlet. The court’s decision to uphold the pre-trial detention underscores the ongoing legal challenges faced by the journalists. The advocates expressed their disappointment, indicating that further legal steps might be considered to contest the ruling.
The outcome of this case is being closely monitored by media rights organizations and international observers concerned about press freedom and the treatment of journalists in Azerbaijan. The next steps in the legal process remain to be seen as the situation develops.