BAKU -- A court in the Azerbaijani capital Baku has sentenced a local journalist working for an Iranian television channel to two years in jail for illegal drugs possession.
Anar Bayramli, an Azerbaijani citizen who works as a reporter for Iranian Sahar TV, was detained in February for allegedly possessing some 0.4 grams of heroin.
Bairamli's relatives say they will appeal the verdict, which was issued on June 11. Azerbaijani officials have accused Sahar TV of broadcasting Iran's propaganda into neighboring Azerbaijan.
Tensions between the Islamic republic and Baku have escalated in recent months, after Azerbaijani authorities arrested a number of men with alleged links to Iran who were reportedly plotting attacks in Azerbaijan.
Relations have also been strained recently over reported closer ties between Azerbaijan and Iranian rival Israel.
Anar Bayramli, an Azerbaijani citizen who works as a reporter for Iranian Sahar TV, was detained in February for allegedly possessing some 0.4 grams of heroin.
Bairamli's relatives say they will appeal the verdict, which was issued on June 11. Azerbaijani officials have accused Sahar TV of broadcasting Iran's propaganda into neighboring Azerbaijan.
Tensions between the Islamic republic and Baku have escalated in recent months, after Azerbaijani authorities arrested a number of men with alleged links to Iran who were reportedly plotting attacks in Azerbaijan.
Relations have also been strained recently over reported closer ties between Azerbaijan and Iranian rival Israel.
