Azadlig Newspaper�s Website Unlocked, for How Long?

Baku / 02.04.18 / Turan: In recent days, Internet users have again received free access to the website azadliq.info - an online version of the opposition newspaper Azadlig. The editor of the website Rovshan Hajibeyli reported Turan about this.

At the same time, other resources blocked at the spring of last year, along with the website azadliq.info - azadliq.org (Azadlig Radio), azerbaycansaati.com, meydan.tv and turan.tv are still closed and access to them is blocked in Azerbaijan .

These resources were blocked by the Electronic Security Center at the Ministry of Communications on March 27, 2017.

Later, on May 12, 2017, the Sabail court, on the basis of the submission of this Center, approved a ban on the pretext that "legitimate interests of society and the state were violated" on these resources, and appeals were made to religious radicalism. The Court of Appeal upheld this decision. Representatives of the websites rejected the accusations.

It was stated that the court decision contradicts the European Convention of Human Rights, the decision of the European Court of Justice on blocking websites in Turkey, the resolution of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, according to which restrictions can be imposed on specific information.

Hajibeyli expressed surprise that the website was unlocked despite the court's decision. He believes the website could be unlocked because of the presidential election.

"There are international observers in the country, including the OSCE / ODIHR mission. Perhaps they raised the issue of websites before the government. Perhaps, after the departure of the observers, the blockade will be restored," Hajibeyli said.

"Unlike previous rallies, the police did not interfere in the rally on March 31. The Internet was not blocked on the site of the rally. All this is probably temporary and imitative," Hajibeyli said. -03B-