by Meydan TV reporter
At the Balakan District Court, Afgan Mukhtarli’s trial on 28 December started with a scandal. Court officials blocked journalists from filming outside, and then prohibited them from entering the courtroom. People who were allowed in to the courtroom had their names recorded.
Afgan Mukhtarli. Photo: Meydan TV
Afgan Mukhtarli and his defence lawyers criticised judge Hakim Humbat Salimov for not allowing journalists into the courtroom: "Journalists are left out because they woud rather let police and people who are irrelevant to the trial into the courtroom."
The judge dismissed Mukhtarli’s objection and told him to be quiet, stating…
