"Give up cigarettes - support "Azadlig"newspaper

The authorities want to silence the newspaper " Azadlig" , and do everything to stop its publication. Therefore , the paper  is in need of political, legal, and financial support. That was the main keynote of the  speeches at the event held on October 29 at the headquarters of the party " Musavat", dedicated to the protection of "Azadlig".

Rahim Hajiyev, first deputy editor of the newspaper "Azadlig" said that immediately after the presidential election pressure on the paper has increased significantly. So, bailiffs arrested the bank account of the newspaper on the suit  of the Director of “Bina” shopping center, Kabira Mamedova by 32,000 manat.

In addition, the publishing house "Azerbaijan" newspaper requires payment of the debt.

On the other hand, the “Gasid” distribution company does not  return the newspaper 47,000 manat goty from the sale of the newspaper. 

Hajiyev said that the newspaper "Azadlig"  is in need of held from democratic forces , social forces , and all those who care about freedom of speech. A lawyer Aslan Ismailov called the newspaper 

"Azadlig" the last bastion of democracy in Azerbaijan. "After the closure of "Azadlig" there will be no more freedom of speech podium. Protection of the newspaper should be the duty of every honest citizen," said Ismailov.  "Free speech is the basis of democracy and we must protect it,"  said the journalist Shahveled Chobanoglu.

Lawyers believe that the newspaper should sue the company "Gasid", the leadership of the underground, which banned the sale  of the newspaper in metro, and file a lawsuit against the head of the shopping center "Bina".

Lawyer Fuad Agayev noted that there are court decisions on claims of hundreds of people whose homes were illegally demolished. However, these rulings are not implemented, but the lawsuit against "Azadlig"  has immediately  been sent for execution. Former MP Gultekin Hajibayli believes that stifling free media will direct protesting  energy in  society to a social explosion. 

The leader of the Popular Front Party Ali Kerimli called upon to protect the newspaper "Azadlig", and  launch a counter campaign against the structures and individuals providing pressure on her.

The leader of the Popular Front Party Ali Kerimli said that in 1998, 55% of the country's media were opposition or independent. Today, the situation is quite different.

"After the abolition of censorship began the process of bribing media. Currently, the only body that criticizes the government , including President Ilham Aliyev, is the newspaper "Azadlig",  said Kerimli.

The reader of the newspaper, Elbrus Mammadov, offered to give up smoking cigarettes and with the money to subscribe to the newspaper.

"Give up cigarettes - support "Azadlig" , he voiced the motto of the campaign , saying that he does it.

The conference participants called on the population of the country to subscribe to "Azadlig" newspaper, and noted the importance of the  help of local community to the newspaper. At the same time,  was noted the  importance  of the distribution of the newspaper across the country by volunteers , opposition groups and NPOs.—03C06-