Turkish authorities decide to deport Azerbaijani journalist

The Turkish authorities have decided to deport Makhir Zeinalov, 28, a citizen of Azerbaijan and a journalist from the country. Ankara has accused him of violating the Turkish laws. Zeinalov rejects the accusation and treats his deportations as a violation of the freedom of speech. The decision to deport him was condemned by Dunja Mijatovic, the OSCE Special Representative on the Freedom of the Media, and the Azerbaijan Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS). Zeinalov left Turkey on February 7 and is currently in Azerbaijan.

Makhir Zeinalov cooperated with the Turkish newspaper "Today's Zaman" and criticized the government of this country. He told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that his critical publications on the government of Turkey have caused his deportation.

In particular, the attention of the authorities was drew by the following Zeinalov's entry on the Twitter: "Turkish prosecutors ordered the police to arrest persons associated with 'Al- Qaeda', but the police bosses appointed by Erdogan failed to fulfil the order." Erdogan, according to the journalist, complained about Zeinalov's "insults and incitement on the Twitter."

The Turkish MIA referred to the law on foreigners' residence and found a threat to country's security in Zeinalov's stay in the country.

Let us note here that the deportation of Azerbaijani journalist has caused a resonance in Turkey and the world. This step of the authorities was denounced by Kamal Kylychdaroglu, the leader of the major oppositional People's Republican Party of Turkey.