Azerbaijan: support marathon allows restarting "Azadlyg"

After a forced three-day break, on November 16, a new issue of the oppositional newspaper "Azadlyg" (Freedom) was published. This became possible thanks to fundraising during the charity marathon in support of the newspaper and a partial repayment of its debt to the State Publishing House "Azerbaijan".

On November 13, this "Azerbaijan" suspended printing the "Azadlyg", claiming the debt of around 30,000 US dollars for the rent and utilities.

The marathon event in support of the paper was held on November 15 at the headquarters of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), Rakhim Gadjiev, the first deputy editor-in-chief of the "Azadlyg", told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

The action comprised making donations and subscribing to the paper. It was attended by leaders and activists of oppositional parties, NGOs and the creative and scientific intelligentsia, media executives and journalists, and ordinary citizens. During the two-hour campaign, they raised 17,200 US dollars.

According to Gadjiev, "the marathon showed a strong public support for the newspaper and gave grounds for hope that the edition could be saved."

Meanwhile, the "Azadlyg" has addressed the Baku Administrative Economic Court No. 1 with a complaint about the arrest of the paper's bank account. The interests of the paper are represented the Media Rights Institute (MRI).