Azadliq Radio files a complaint to ECtHR against Azeri Govt

The Azadliq Radio, the Azerbaijani unit of the Radio Liberty, has appealed to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) with a complaint about obstruction of activities in the territory of Azerbaijan. The complaint states that the Azerbaijani government has been obstructing the activities of the Azadliq Radio for nearly three years, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

In 2016, a part of the charges put forward by the Azerbaijani law enforcers was lifted. However, the Azadliq Radio has not yet managed to achieve the elimination of the accusations of violation of tax legislation.

"We failed in seeking to get rid of the charges brought against us by the judicial system of Azerbaijan. Those accusations are unjustified, and in view of the fact that Azerbaijan falls under the jurisdiction of the ECtHR, we have decided to file a complaint with the European Court," said Thomas Kent, President of the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL).

Advocates of the Radio Liberty question the legitimacy of the criminal investigation. They point out to the fact that according to the laws of Azerbaijan, the investigation was to be completed in 2016, but it is still underway. Meanwhile, no charges were brought against any individuals, and the government did not provide any report on the case.

"The investigation has not revealed any violations of the law, but the Baku bureau of the Radio Liberty is deprived of the ability to function, and our journalists are under threat," the website of the Azadliq Radio quoted Thomas Kent, President of the Radio Liberty, as saying.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.