Closure of "Azadlig" newspaper is possible

 The  "Azadlig"  newspaper  may be closed, Turan was told by Rahim Hajiyev, the  deputy chief-editor of the leading opposition newspaper.

The refusal of "Gasid" the company-distributor  to pay funds from sales and large legal fees, have brought the "Azadlig" to a critical level, he said.

Thus, "Gasid" owes  the newspaper 40,000 manat, and only occasionally pays 1000 AZN, and sometimes 2000 manat, though the company is obliged to hand over monthly 7,000 manat.

The Supreme Court upheld the penalty on the suit of the head of Baku Metro, Tagi Ahmedov, in the amount of 30,000 manat.

A similar decision is expected on the suit of  Kabira Mamedova, the head of  “Bina”  shopping center, in the same sum. 

Recently, the Ministry of Defense also filed a lawsuit against the "Azadlig" newspaper, amounting to100,000 manat.

It is noteworthy that an agreement was obtained with Tagi Akhmedov, to pay the sum piecemeal. However, the Yasamal Court will not consider the matter until on 31 May, and during that time the bank account of the newspaper remains arrested.

According to Hajiyev, all of these steps have been made to silence the newspaper. He once again called on the public to protect the newspaper.

The newspaper "Azadlig" was founded by a prominent Azerbaijani journalists, Najaf Najafov, and  has been  published  since 24 December, 1989. -16D06-