Azerbaijani court refuses to release Hajizada and Milli

An Azerbaijani court Friday denied the requests of Adnan Hajizada and Emin Milli to be granted a release from prison until their next court date.

Hajizada and Milli, accused of hooliganism and causing bodily injury, were lead into court in handcuffs. A judge denied their request for the trial be held in a larger room to accommodate the public and the media. The lawyer for one of the men Hajizada and Milli are accused of injuring said that the trial should be closed because of the possibility that state secrets could be exposed.

When Hajizada spoke in court, he asked that the trial be stopped and said his rights had been violated during his detention and investigation.

"We were expressing our civil position," Milli said. "There are no secrets and it is not political activity."

The U.S. embassy has been following Hajizada and Milli's case and expects the Azerbaijani government to respect their rights.

"The U.S. government remains committed to working with government and people of Azerbaijan to encourage freedom of speech and freedom of association, which we view as integral to the democratic process in every nation," Terry Davidson, U.S. embassy public relations officer, said after the court appearance.

Hajizada and Milli are due back in court Sept. 16.

Contact staff writer Jimmy Young at jimmy.young@richmond.edu