Azerbaijani Opposition Journalist Jailed For Eight Years

An opposition journalist in Azerbaijan has been sentenced to eight years in jail.

The Baku City Court for Serious Crimes found Parviz Hasimli guilty of illegal weapons possession on May 15.

Hasimli, editor of the news website Moderator and a reporter for the opposition daily "Bizim Yol" (Our Path), was arrested in September after police said they had found a pistol and 30 hand grenades in Hasimli's house.

Hasimli's supporters say the case is politically motivated.

His lawyer, Elcin Sadiqov, said earlier that police had not presented a warrant before searching his client's home.

Hasimli stated at the trial that he had been beaten and ill-treated while in National Security Ministry detention.

Hasimli's accusations were not considered by the judge.