Ilham Aliyev approved the reactionary amendments to the laws on defamation

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a law on the amendments made by the Parliament on May 14 to the Criminal Code, which extend criminal penalties for libel and insult as the expression on the Internet.

The new version of Article 147 gives the following definition of libel - the spread of false information discrediting the honor and dignity of another person or damaging his reputation in a public statement, publicly performed media, or a mass demonstration on the information resources on the Internet ".

In this case, the sanctions remain the same article - a fine of from 100 to 500 manat, or community service up to 240 hours, or correctional labor for up to one year, or imprisonment for 6 months. Defamation of serious crimes is punishable by up to 3 years of imprisonment.

According to the amendment to Article 148, is considered an insult to the humiliation of honor and dignity of another person in an indecent manner, not only in a public statement, publicly performed work, "the media or mass demonstration on the information resources on the Internet".

The sanctions also remain the same - a fine of 300 to 1,000 manats, or public works - up to 240 hours, or correctional labor for up to one year, or by imprisonment for up to 6 months.

Note that these amendments led to protests of local and international democratic community due to their threat to freedom of expression on the Internet. Azerbaijani and foreign NGOs urged the president not to sign the reactionary amendment. With the same message to the Aliyev addressed OSCE Special Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatovic and the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Mujzhnieks. -06D -