Candidate for President of the National Council Condemns the Arrest of Journalist Parviz Gashimli

Baku/18.09.13/Turan : The presidential candidate of the National Council of Democratic Forces of Azerbaijan Jamil Gasanly condemned the arrest of journalist Parviz Gashimli , describing the action of the Ministry of National Security as pressure on freedom of speech.

" Every time we witness the arrest of objectionable journalists on trumped-up charges of possession of drugs , weapons or disorderly conduct in order to neutralize the critics of the regime and the intimidation of the journalistic community ," said Gasanly .

The presidential candidate called on the authorities to put an end to the policy of pressure on journalists and restrictions on freedom of speech and expression in Azerbaijan.

Detained in the evening on September 17 by the Ministry of National Security, the Director of the online edition moderator.az Parviz Gashimli is charged under articles 206.3.2 (smuggling , according to preliminary arrangement by group of persons) and 228.2.1 . (illegal purchase, transfer , sale, storage , transportation or carrying of arms on preliminary arrangement by group of persons ) of the Criminal Code. He was arrested on Tuesday at his home in the village of Baladzhar. During the search of the house the security officers allegedly found weapons and ammunition.

Gashimli is also the head of the public association "Center for protection and civil and political rights of citizens" and an employee of the newspaper Bizim Yol. -0 -