Ali Hasanov�s Self-confidence Once Again Subjects Baku to External Criticism

Washington D.C. / 16.02.18 / Turan: Criticism and threats against the Western media by the assistant head of state Ali Hasanov in connection with Luca Volonte's case caused a backlash in the West.

So Hasanov's attempts to declare the justification of Luca Volonte by the court in Milan and his words that Baku is using this to bring Western media and organizations to justice have provoked a negative reaction. As the Washington D.C. correspondent of Turan reports, a number of influential media intend to return to this topic and publish critical materials about the authorities of Azerbaijan in the Luca Volonte case in the near future.

Hasanov's statement that Volonte was rehabilitated in the Milan court does not correspond to reality - the case continues and the fact of receiving bribes is proved. The Department of Finance of the United States adopted on February 14 a sanction against the Latvian bank, which appears in the Volonte case for the laundering of Azerbaijani money, experts familiar with the situation say.

Thus, Hasanov damaged the work of the lobbyists of Azerbaijan, who succeeded in minimizing critical publications against official Baku after the announcement of early presidential elections.

After the visit of the Department of State mission to Baku last week, leading US media were advised to avoid criticism of Azerbaijan, but thanks to Hasanov, the situation is changing. Yesterday's discussions on the need for Washington D.C. to support political prisoners in Azerbaijan, which took place in the Congress, can be considered the first sign of this change. -25B-