Foreign diplomats meet with the editor of "Azadlig"

On Thursday at the Institute of Reporters Freedom and Safety The meeting of Rahim Hajibeyli, the  editor of the newspaper "Azadlig",  with representatives of the diplomatic corps and international organizations working in Baku.

The meeting was attended by the members of the embassies of the USA, UK, Norway, Holland, Germany, the OSCE, the EU, USAİD and İREX.

According to Turan, the editor informed about the difficult situation  due to the legal action against the newspaper and the facts of the persecution of relatives of employees of "Azadlig". All this is done to silence the newspaper or publish criticism of the authorities, said the editor. The pressure on the newspaper especially increased after the events in Ismailli, when followed by the arrest of relatives of employees and the pressure of the prosecution.

During the discussions, the sides exchanged views on possible ways to support the newspaper and evaluated the socio-political situation in the country ahead of presidential elections.

It was particularly noted that "Azadlig" is the first independent newspapers in the country, and its closure would be a very bad thing, symbolizing the defeat of democracy.  The involvement of the public to the defense of "Azadlig" was  suggested. -02В-