Ban on Crossing Borders of Azerbaijan Lifted from Orkhan Mammad

Baku / 21.05.19 / Turan: The Investigation Department for Grave Crimes of the Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan lifted a ban on the journalist Orkhan Mammad's crossing Azerbaijan's border. The ban was applied in 2015 in connection with a criminal case against Meydan TV.

At the time of the introduction of the restriction, Mammad was abroad, and fearing unreasonable criminal prosecution, he decided not to return.

On May 21, the journalist wrote on his Facebook page about sending him a letter regarding the removal of the 'border crossing restriction' signed by the head of the Investigation Department for Grave Crimes of the Prosecutor General's Office Eldar Ahmedov.

The document noted that the 'restriction on border crossing' imposed on the journalist in connection with the criminal case 'against officials of Meydan TV was canceled 'due to the elimination of the need'.

'Over the past 4 years I have been to more than 60 cities in over 25 countries of the world, but I could not go to my homeland. But now with the lifting of restrictions on border crossing, I can come to Azerbaijan,' the journalist said.

However, he noted that he will continue to work as before.

'Journalism is not a crime. We will continue to work as far as we can. There are no changes in our position; on the contrary, we intend to work even more professionally and fundamentally. We remain advocates of freedom of speech, expression and media,' Mammad said.

Since the beginning of May, the travel ban has been lifted from eight journalists collaborating with Meydan TV. Now, the ban remains in force for only one journalist who collaborated with Meydan TV, the representative of the editorial office said.

Restrictions were introduced in 2015 in connection with the criminal case against Meydan TV, launched after the publication of a series of investigations about corruption in Azerbaijan. -06D--