10:26, 19 May 2008

In Azerbaijan, PACE co-rapporteurs meet the arrested journalists

Andres Herkel and Evgenia Zhivkova, co-rapporteurs of the PACE, continue their meetings in Azerbaijan. Today they had a meeting with Azer Ahmedov, director of the "Azadlyg" newspaper.

The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told by Mr Ahmedov himself that the co-rapporteurs were interested in the situation with the freedom of speech and press in Azerbaijan, the present situation in the editorial board of the "Azadlyg" newspaper, and asked about the recent pressure on the newspaper. Also, the co-rapporteurs wanted to get into the pre-election situation, anticipated amendments to the Electoral Code and the law "On Freedom of Assembly".

Azer Ahmedov has informed that yesterday, on May 18, Andres Herkel and Evgenia Zhivkova had a meeting with arrested journalists Einullah Fatullaev, Sakit and Ganimat Zakhidovs.

The co-rapporteurs also had a meeting with leaders of opposition parties.

Author: Rafael Gasanov, CK correspondent