Ali Hasanov: Secretary General of Council of Europe Does Not Know What He Says

Official Baku began to respond to the criticism of international organizations in connection with the murder of the journalist Rasim Aliyev. So, the President’s aide Ali Hasanov said today that the statement of the Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland about the death of the journalist indicates that he does not know what it is about.

"From the statement of Mr. Jagland it is clear that he does not possess sufficient information on the nature of the incident, the work done, and even whom it is about. I think that after Jagland gets acquainted with the measures of the Azerbaijani authorities in connection with this matter, the need for such statements will disappear," said Hasanov.

He further said that Ilham Aliyev instructed the relevant authorities to conduct a full investigation to identify and prosecute the perpetrators. "Mr. President said that in the future he will monitor the issues of freedom of expression and information, media independence, and journalism in particular," said Hasanov.

"With regard to the violence against the journalist, I want to note that the practice has shown that no country is immune from this kind of crime. The main thing for the government is to properly assess what happened. The question has to be objectively investigated and the culprits must be prosecuted in accordance with the law," Hasanov said.

He further said that in Azerbaijan there is a good dialogue between the Government and civil society, NGOs, political parties, media, and religious and ethnic minorities.

According to him, regular meetings of the government with representatives of civil society openly prove that Azerbaijani authorities adequately fulfill their responsibilities for the development of civil society. -02D-