The trial of five men accused of involvement in the killing of Azerbaijani journalist Rasim Aliyev is beginning in a Baku court.
Aliyev, 30, died in a Baku hospital on August 9, 2015, after being beaten the previous day.
The journalist said while in hospital that he was attacked by supporters of well-known soccer player Cavid Huseynov in retaliation for criticism of Huseynov that Aliyev posted on his Facebook page.
Huseynov, a member of Azerbaijan's Qabala FK soccer club, is not among the suspects.
Huseynov has been charged with not reporting a crime and faces a separate trial.
He may face up to three years in prison if found guilty.
The soccer player and the five suspects were arrested in August.
Several journalists picketed the Baku city prosecutor's office in August, demanding "a proper punishment" for Aliyev's attackers.
