Elections Approaching, Candidates Growing Intolerance

The Institute for Reporters Freedom and Safety (IRFS) is concerned about intolerance, which is shown by the main contenders for the presidency against their opponents three months before the election.

In particular, the statement indicated that President Ilham Aliyev, July 2, at the event on the occasion of Police Day called opponents of the authorities as "traitors with slave mentality."

Such statements not only give "green light" to repression against opponents of the authorities, but also contradict the Constitution and the obligations of Aliyev, as head of state before the voters.

Alarming is also Aliyev's encouraging police officers known for violence against journalists. In particular, it regards the award of the rank of General to the police official of Baku Sahlab Baghirov and Lieutenant-Colonel to Orkhan Akhundzadeh.

"Silencing journalists and dissidents could jeopardize the legitimacy of the election. These statements do not portend free and fair elections," said IRFS.

IRFS also condemned the statements of the single candidate from the National Council, the screenwriter Rustam Ibrahimbekov that "there is a need to hit on the lips those, who write provocative, defamatory and false things."

Note that in his radio interview with Azadlig (Liberty) Ibrahimbekov lamented the speculation around the issue of his return to Azerbaijan, noting that the media themselves should hit on the lips those, who spread false information about him.

"I read those dirty articles and if such a person, even after the election, or before, comes to meet me, I'll hit him on the lips, and I will take the responsibility," said Ibrahimbekov.

IRFS reminds that public figures, including candidates for the president, should be tolerant to criticism. -06D-