Harasti: Azerbaijan should stop persecuting journalists on forged accusations

Young Azerbaijan bloggers Emin Milli and Adnan Gadjizade will not be imprisoned, as stated by Miklos Harasti, special representative of the OSCE on freedom of the media, after his meeting with Ali Gasanov, head of the public-political division of the Administration of the President of Azerbaijan. According to Mr Harasti, Azerbaijan should stop its widespread practice of persecuting oppositional journalists on forged charges.

The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports that Miklos Harasti shared his impressions about his meetings held this week in Azerbaijan at the press conferences held on Thursday, September 10.

According to Mr Harasti, Ali Gasanov, when expressing his opinion on the bloggers' case, supposed that "in end of legal procedures they will not be imprisoned." His other "good news" was the inclination of the authorities of Azerbaijan to cancel criminal liability for slander.

This step, in Harasti's opinion, "should be accompanied also by cancellation of using law enforcement bodies for criminal prosecution of journalists on forged accusations." On the results of his conversation with Gasanov, Harasti now has hopes that "it can come true."

Touching on the release of convicted journalists Einullah Fatullaev, Ganimat Zakhidov and Mushvig Guseinov, Mr Harasti has expressed an idea that this problem can be solved by means of the practice of President's pardon, existing in Azerbaijan.

However, Harasti could not answer the question, whether such pardon can be expected in the near future.

He also spoke in support of  resumed broadcasting in local frequencies of radio stations Voice of America, Radio Liberty and BBC, suspended since January 1, 2009.

During his present visit to Azerbaijan, Mr Harasti also met Makhmud Mamedguliev, deputy head of the MFA, Ombudsperson Elmira Sulemanova and representatives of mass media and journalists' organizations.

He also visited imprisoned journalists Einullah Fatullaev and Ganimat Zakhidov; however, he was not allowed to meet the arrested bloggers, since it is prohibited by the legislation.