25/08/2010 (Agence Europe) - Speaking on behalf of the European Union, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton “regrets” the decision to uphold the prison sentences against two young bloggers. On 19 August, the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan upheld the prison sentences of two and a half years and two years respectively against youth activists Emin Abdullayev and Adnan Hajizade. The two were sentenced in November 2009 having been charged with hooliganism. Ashton said that “the shortcomings of the trial, notably with regards to international standards of fairness and transparency, and its conclusion, send a negative signal with regard to the situation of freedom of expression in Azerbaijan”. In a press release issued on Tuesday 24 August, she called on Azerbaijan to release Emin Abdullayev and Adnan Hajizade. (A.B./transl.rt)