A number of articles based on fabrications and malicious propaganda continue to appear in the Azerbaijani press concerning the activities of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the purpose of its programs. These reports are completely baseless, reads NDI statement sent to Turan`s Washington correspondent.
“Repeating a series of falsehoods over and over again does not make them true,” said NDI President Kenneth Wollack.
NDI and its local partners have helped civil society organizations, young future leaders, and other citizens cooperate peacefully and constructively with local governments to improve their communities. They have promoted dialogue to improve local infrastructure, such as roads, lights, utilities, and parks, and provided opportunities for citizens in the form of classes, book clubs, social awareness campaigns, and environmental projects. The Institute has also supported the efforts of Azerbaijani citizens to protect the integrity of their political processes through nonpartisan domestic election monitoring, consistent with the principles of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). NDI has been transparent about these activities with Azerbaijani authorities. In fact, Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Youth and Sports has nominated many young people to participate in NDI programs.
All funds received by the NDI office in Baku and its representatives have been used for these purposes and no others.
NDI is registered with the Ministry of Justice of Azerbaijan. Consistent with that registration, NDI has submitted all financial statements, as required by law, to the Ministry of Finance. NDI is in full compliance with local laws, including those that apply to financial disclosure, reads the statement of NDI.
To recall that the campaign against NDI was initiated by journalists collaborated by government. Afterwards
The head of presidential administration Ramiz Mekhtiyev stated that NDI support radical opposition and authorities will not work with NDI. -0-
Politics
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Today, the trial of the disabled 1st group, paralyzed activist Famil Khalilov ended in the Baku Court of Serious Crimes.
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On February 6, pro-government media reported 6 that Azerbaijan is demanding the closure of the “Rossotrudnichestvo” representation in the country, as this organization is not registered in Azerbaijan. Requests from Turan agency to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan to confirm this information went unanswered.
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The international organization "Women Press Freedom" condemned the arrest of journalist Shahnaz Beylergizi in Azerbaijan. A statement of the organization noted that this is the latest in a series of troubling state attacks on independent media in Azerbaijan. On the same day, another journalist, Shamshad Aga, was detained.
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Shamshad Aga, editor of the "Argument.az" website, has been found guilty in the Meydan TV case of smuggling (Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code) and sentenced to two months and one day in detention. The decision was made on February 6 by the Khatai District Court of Baku, as reported by Turan, citing his lawyer, Shahla Humbatova.
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