Turan�s Mehman Aliyev visits Washigton D.C,

Washington will continue to monitor developments in the targeting of Turan News Agency, and other media outlets by government authorities in Azerbaijan, Mehman Aliyev, Turan's founder and director, was told by top American officials and leaders of media rights watchdogs, during his visit to the U.S. capitol this week.

Turan's operations were briefly suspended in September 2017, after its director was detained in Baku on August 24 on trumped-up charges of tax evasion and abuse of power.

Aliyev, who was released from prison on September 11, discussed his struggle for freedom, as well as the current state of play and media crackdown in Azerbaijan during his meetings at various state agencies, such as Department of State, Congress etc.

"Pleased to see that [Mehman] was released from dubious arrest and allowed to continue his important work... I hope the same will be done for others detained for political reasons," Senator Dick Durbin tweeted on Thursday after meeting with Mehman Aliyev.

In his discussions with U.S. officials, Aliyev also expressed his personal gratitude to powerful voices in Washington who have pushed for his release.

In their turn, diplomats and activists reiterated their calls for the Azerbaijani regime to build on this momentum to end all restrictions on independent media.

A.Raufoglu

Washington D.C.