Laurent Richard
Baku/14.05.14/Turan : Two French journalists Laurent Richard and Emmanuel Bach, covering the visit of French President Francois Hollande to Azerbaijan, were detained on 14 May at the departure from Baku airport.
They were seized footage and camera equipment. Despite the objections, they were forcibly put on a plane and sent to France, according to the Azerbaijani service of Radio Liberty with reference to the chief editor of the investigative program Premier Lignes of public television Benoit Bringer.
The French journalists after the visit of Hollande decided to stay for another two days .
However, at the departure from the Baku airport 15 people were detained.
The journalists were seized surveying equipment and supplies and memory cards . After that , they were forcibly put on a plane .
"They did not want to go back without their materials. However, they were forcibly put on a plane and sent to France," said Bringer.
He does not understand the reasons for their withdrawal.
"There can be only one reason - perhaps this is due to the desire not to let them shoot demonstrations or take interviews. That's how they prevented it," said Bringer .
He added that the journalists illuminating the visit of the French President also wanted to show the human rights situation and the development of economic ties.
"It is strange that it happened on the day when Azerbaijan began to chair the Council of Europe. If this way they hinder bringing to the public what is happening , then this in itself shows what the situation is in the country's human rights and press freedom. This is very bad for the image of the country," said Bringer.
He said that what is happening was reported to the Foreign Ministry of France, the French Embassy and other relevant structures and also to Reporters without Borders and the broadcaster expects their reactions.
Hollande made a visit to Azerbaijan on May 11-12 . -06D –
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