OSCE representative calls Azerbaijani authorities to release arrested bloggers

In the course of the meetings, held by the OSCE Secretary General Marc Perrin de Brichambaut with officials of Azerbaijan during his visit to Baku on July, 15-17, the issue was raised about the bloggers Adnan Gadjizade and Emin Milli, who were arrested last week.

"Different OSCE representatives raised the issue before the government of Azerbaijan. Besides, Miklos Harasti, special representative for the freedom of mass media and leaders of the ODIHR of the OSCE sent their appeals to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan. I've referred to these letters, which emphasize that every OSCE member-state shall respect and observe the laws and rule of law. I believe that this position will be met with understanding and accepted," said Mr Brichambaut at the press conference on July 17 in Baku.

At the same time, as reported by the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, Mr Brichambaut gave an elusive reply to the question, whether he had discussed with President Ilham Aliev the situation with media and prospects of restarting broadcast of Western radio stations, having referred to confidentiality of negotiations. At the same time, he expressed hope that Azerbaijan would faithfully treat its obligations before the OSCE.

It proved impossible to get any comments on release of the bloggers at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan in the context of the OSCE letters. The press service had no information and invited to come later.

The "Caucasian Knot" has already reported that consideration of the complaint of the youth activist and blogger Adnan Gadjizade, appointed for July 17 at the Baku Appeal Court was postponed till Monday, July 20, at 10:00 a.m. The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent has learnt about it from Isakhan Ashurov, Gadjizade's advocate.

Both bloggers lodged their appeal complaints against decisions of the Sabail District Court of Baku, which passed on July 10 a judgement to arrest them for 2 months in connection with presented charges of hooliganism.