This statement is intended to clarify some recent misreporting and misunderstanding in the media regarding a grant program announced by USAID, reads a statement of the US Embassy to Azerbaijan.
There were no irregularities with the proposal application process, or the collection of proposals. All standard, world-wide procedures were followed and the process was fully fair and transparent. At this date the proposals are under review and no organization has been selected.
The Azerbaijan Media Support Activity was publically announced on May 21, 2014. Following standard procedure the grant was announced on both www.grants.gov website and on the USAID Azerbaijan Facebook page. On June 10 the program was also announced on the USAID Azerbaijan website.
The period for accepting proposals was open from May 21 until July 7, 2014, notes the statement.
Yeni Musavat and some other papers and pro-governmental web sites published recently articles claiming that USAID made a secret or illegal attempt to give grant of 2,4 million dollars to some media in Azerbaijan. -0-
Politics
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A candidate in the municipal elections for the 23rd Nasimi-Sabail electoral district, activist Djamila Alisheva, has reported administrative barriers in conducting her campaign. She claims that the district election commission is refusing to provide the necessary forms for her authorized representatives.
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On January 15, the Tbilisi Court of Appeals rejected the appeal of Afghan Sadigov, the founder of the Azel TV website, who had protested his extradition to Azerbaijan. Sadigov’s wife, Sevinj Sadigova, stated that this was the final judicial instance in Georgia making a decision on the case, Turan reported. On the other hand, lawyer Mariam Kvelashvili informed Turan that the defense would continue legal steps to prevent the extradition of Afghan Sadigov. According to his wife, Afghan has been on hunger strike for 117 days, and his health is critical.
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Jamil Hajiyev, a member of the National Council of Democratic Forces, has reported continued pressure from the police. On January 10, during the trial of opposition figure Tofig Yagublu at the Baku Serious Crimes Court, Hajiyev unfurled a banner reading "Freedom for Political Prisoners!"
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On January 15, the Yasamal District Court rejected the motion to change the detention measure for Azer Gasymly, the director of the Institute of Political Management, his lawyer, Agyl Laidj, to Turan. "Azer Gasymly stated during the trial that the charges against him were fabricated and related to his socio-political activities," the lawyer said. An appeal will be filed against the court's decision.
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