Although it describes the electoral process observed around the presidential election day in Azerbaijan (9 October 2013) as “free, fair and transparent”, PACE considers that fundamental freedoms remain “a serious concern” in the country. The report by Robert Walter (United Kingdom, EDG), approved today by the PACE Standing Committee in Vienna, stresses that the authorities must take steps to ensure freedom of expression and assembly are fully observed as part of the democratisation process.
PACE also calls on the Azerbaijani authorities to act on the Venice Commission’s recommendations concerning electoral legislation and encourages the development of a “strong and credible opposition” if the population is to be given a real choice in future elections. -02D-
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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