Ali Hasanov Announces New Restrictions on Internet?

The Presidential Aide on Social and Political Issues Ali Hasanov announced the possible restrictive measures on the Internet. In an interview with a number of pro-government media he explained this with the spread of rumors about the latest developments in a number of Internet media.

"Starting from incidents in the conflict zone to any local event in Azerbaijan, Internet media spread various rumors, biased and even provocative materials. The main source of this is social networking.

Unfortunately, online media often replicate such messages without rechecking them, and mislead the public.

Along with this, several Internet sites for a number of strategic issues occupy evidently hostile positions," Hasanov said.

As examples, he called publications after devaluation of the manat on the beginning of "popular protests," and statements of foreign "experts" that Azerbaijan will not be able to get out of this situation.

"In several cases, they wrote about appreciation of the dollar to astronomical levels, the departure of foreign companies from Azerbaijan, the collapse of the investment policy and other things. It was a hostile attitude towards the people and the state. Perhaps to avoid such cases, measures will be taken, both legally and practically," Hasanov said. -06D-