Journalists accused of insulting Prophet Muhammad go on trial in Baku

The Azeri Prosecutor General's Office opened a criminal case against Samir Guseinov, editor-in-chief of the Senet (Profession) newspaper, and correspondent Rafig Tagi in response to an article, which, according to the authorities, contained insults targeting the Prophet Muhammad.

"A lawsuit filed by the Prosecutor General's Office against Guseinov and Tagi was read out in court. The presiding judge is Mamedali Zulfugarov," a court spokesman told Interfax.

Guseinov was charged with "spreading ethnic, racial or religious hatred using his official position," while Tagi faces charges of "committing actions either directly or through the media aimed at spreading ethnic, racial or religious hatred, insulting national dignity or restricting citizens' rights depending on their ethnicity, race or religion," the spokesman said.

The court assigned lawyers to the suspects and set its next session for March 5.