President Aliyev sued over Facebook

Baku/08.27.21/Turan: Public activist Bahtiyar Hajiyev filed a lawsuit against President Ilham Aliyev. The activist claims that his Facebook page has been blocked by the president's official page, and he is prohibited from publishing his opinion on his profile.

Thus, the freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution, as well as by the European Convention on Human Rights, to which Azerbaijan has joined, has been violated. Bahtiyar Hajiyev's claim will be considered by the Sabail District Court. The Presidential Administration has not yet commented on this issue.

In connection with this incident, Hajiyev spoke in the "Difficult Question" program. According to him, the prohibition of citizens to leave comments on the official website of the president is a violation of freedom of speech.

“The president's page is not his personal profile, but a resource supported by the state, the content of which is formed at the expense of the state. The President shared information about his activities, allows people to like and discuss these activities. Blocking because of political views is illegal,” Hajiyev said.

According to the public activist, blocking the president's official website violates not only freedom of speech, but also the right not to be discriminated against. The purpose of his appeal to the court is to open such discussions in the legal community, as well as to induce citizens to go to court in case of violation of their rights.

Hajiyev does not demand monetary compensation; he only asks the court to recognize the violation. If the domestic courts do not satisfy the appeal, the activist intends to refer the case to the European Court. — 0—