In Azerbaijan, journalist who visited Armenia plans to challenge his dismissal from television

On September 29, the Sabail District Court of Baku will consider, with Fuad Guseinov as the chairing judge, the claim lodged by journalist Asef Guliev against the Closed Joint-Stock Company (CJSC) "Azerbaijani TV and Radio Broadcasting" (AzTV state television). The claimant believes that he was illegally dismissed from his job and demands reinstatement and payment of lost salary.

Let us remind you that on July 11-14 Asef Guliev took part in the international conference "Freedom of Information in the Caucasus" held in Armenia. Immediately upon his return, Mr Guliev was offered to resign on his own will; however, the journalist would not agree. He emphasized that he had not represented the state television at the conference, but he took part there during his vacations.

On July 27, his vacations were over; and on August 1 he was sacked.

"There were no grounds to stop my contract. The military-patriotic programme, where I worked, wasn't closed. During my work I never received any reprimands. Moreover, I received honorary certificates of Interior and Frontier Troops for the military programmes that I prepared," Asef Guliev told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Therefore, he added, "there were no other reasons for dismissal apart from my travel to Armenia." "On July 29, a sitting of the editorial board of the military-patriotic programme condemned my participation in the conference in Armenia," said Guliev.

Lawyer Fariz Namazly, who is defending Guliev's interests at the litigation, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that the journalist was fired illegally. He believes that the practice of concluding 2-3-month-long contracts with permanent staff is incorrect. "Moreover, he works there for 4 years already," said Namazly.

In her turn, Khatira Gasymova, head of the press service of the CJSC "Azerbaijani TV and Radio Broadcasting", has noted that Guliev was not dismissed; just his contract was not extended. According to her version, under the Labour Code, fixed-term contracts with subsequent prolongation may be concluded with an employee for up to 5 years. She has also stressed that, apart from Guliev, contracts with some other employees were not extended.