The Ministry of Justice of Azerbaijan illegally refuses a meeting with Intigam Aliyev

The Ministry of Justice refused the Director of the Information Agency "Turan" Mehman Aliyev to meet with Intigam Aliyev, the head of the  Civil Enlightenment Society, who is  serving his term in prison №6.

The letter was sent on October 15  tothe Minister of Justice Fikret Mammadov with a request to create the conditions for a meeting with Intigam Aliyev as a journalist in accordance with Article 22.2 of the Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the execution of punishments. This Article gives the right to visit imprisoned   journalists with the permission of the executive authority (Ministry of Justice.)

A response letter signed by the acting deputy chief of the Penitentiary Service Rafig Ramazanov, stated that the creation of conditions for a meeting is not desirable because of "inconsistencies"  of the appeal of the  journalist with the law "On public participation," and the lack of kinship and other bases.

"The answer is contrary to the law and violates my rights as a journalist by the Ministry of Justice. The reference to the law "On public participation " is inappropriate. I asked for a meeting not to exercise public control authority or the preparation of any advice the Ministry of Justice or other government agencies that the main purpose of the law to which Mr. Ramazanov referred. I just wanted to see the world-famous prisoner and talk with him on topics of interest to me. It is my right, given to me by the laws of the country," said Mehman Aliyev.

According to Aliyev, the Ministry of Justice violated his right as a journalist to obtain information.

"I believe this approach  of the Ministry of Justice elective. I had previously visited in prison journalists Ganimat Zahid, Rauf Arifoglu, Eynulla Fatullayev,  and Mushfig Huseynov," said Aliyev.-0-