The prosecutor`s office violated the law - an expert

Azerbaijan continues the already established practice of violation of freedom of speech. "The requirement on prior agreement  the information or its approval before publication with government agencies violates the law," said media rights expert Alesker  Mammadli to the actions of the Prosecutor General's Office.

As is known, on March 14, the editors of the websites Сriminal.az, Xeberinfo.com and Azpolitika.info were summoned to the Prosecutor General's Office. They were warned in connection with the distribution of information about the soldier's suicide "unconfirmed  by the  Ministry of Defense," the prosecutor's office said.

Body of the soldier Subhan Sadyg oglu Khaspoladov was returned to his family with injuries and bullet wounds, which, according to army officials, he inflicted on himself. The Prosecutor General 's Office claims that this information was published by the Internet resource of Meydan TV, and distributed by the said sites.

The editors were warned about the inadmissibility of replicating information unconfirmed by official structures, and if such facts are repeated in the future they will be brought to justice.

 The journalists collaborating with Meidan TV denied the statement of the prosecutor's office, saying that they did not publish data on the suicide of a soldier. "All materials on the military theme in "Meydan TV" are official and are published with reference to the Ministry of Defense," the same source said. The editorial office of the  Turan agency appealed to Mammadli about this.

- Tell me, how justified are the actions of the Prosecutor General's Office requiring from journalists prior agreement of the information?

- In this case we observe a gross violation of the current legislation, in particular Article 7 of the Law on the Mass Media. The law says that state censorship of the mass media, as well as the creation and financing for this purpose of special state bodies or positions are not allowed. State bodies, municipalities, institutions, enterprises and organizations, public associations, officials, as well as political parties have no right to require preliminary coordination with them of information disseminated in the mass media, or to prohibit their dissemination, except when they are authors of information or interview.

- And if the information is not true?

- Journalists have certain standards, if they write false information and someone becomes a victim of this information, he can apply to the court. But if it is a question of the death of a serviceman and official sources hide this information - why should not a journalist reveal the truth?

- How justified are the actions of the prosecutor's office on the fact that the country is in a state of war?

- A decree on martial law has not been introduced in Azerbaijan, and therefore the actions of the prosecutor are unacceptable and violate the law. -0-