European Parliament passes resolution "On Freedom of Expression in Azerbaijan"

On December 16, the European Parliament passed the resolution entitled "On Freedom of Expression in Azerbaijan" and giving a critical estimate to the situation in the country with the freedom of speech and self-expression.

The document was adopted on the initiative of a big group of MPs, who relied on the reports of international organizations about the verdicts, oppressions and intimidations of mass media people in Azerbaijan.

According to the resolution that the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent received from the European Parliament in the evening on December 17, "the atmosphere for the work of mass media in Azerbaijan in recent years became worse; independent TV and radio companies were temporarily stopped; leading newspapers were moved out of their offices; numerous suits were lodged against mass media; and journalists were attacked." It has led to fear and self-censorship. Finally, in December 2008, broadcasting of radio stations BBC, Radio Liberty and Voice of America in local frequencies was forbidden.

Further the resolution indicates the arrest "on political grounds" of young bloggers Emin Milli and Adnan Gadjizade, and their conviction to imprisonment "after unfair trial."