Azerbaijan Foreign Ministry does not confirm the report about the blacklist of Western journalists

Azerbaijani authorities decided to revise the list of journalists accredited at the upcoming European Games in Baku, and set limits for those who take a pro-Armenian and unfriendly attitude towards Azerbaijan, such a statement made today, the newspaper "Yeni Musavat."

The publication does not report the source of such information, claiming that the talk is about journalists from Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Belgium, Norway and Sweden.

The newspaper also that the authorities are studying their publication about Azerbaijan and exploring "possible" communications  with  international human rights organizations, and especially with the "Human Rights Watch" and "Amnesty International."

The newspaper claims that 100 journalists with “dubious reputation” were revealed that discriminate against Azerbaijan. “It is expected that these journalists will not be allowed to cover the Games, so the organizing committee intends to revoke their accreditation,” says the newspaper.

The official representative of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Hikmat Hajiyev in an interview with Turan has denied these allegations.

"Azerbaijan has fully ensured freedom of press and expression. Accreditation of media representatives is carried out according to the rules of the IOC and the European Olympic Committees," said Hajiyev.

For accreditation addressed more than 900 foreign and 600 local media representatives. Furthermore, the game will be covered by a large number of international broadcasters. Procedures for entry and accredited journalists in Azerbaijan were simplified. They will be able to come into the country without a visa - on the basis of accreditation card and identity document. -03B-