Azerbaijani journalist deported for criticizing Erdogan

The reporter of the Turkish newspaper Today's Zaman and blogger, citizen of Azerbaijan Mahir Zeynalov has been deported by the Turkish authorities .

According to the newspaper Zaman, the reason for deportation is Zeynalov's critical publications of the government of Turkey and Prime Minister Erdogan .

According to the newspaper, Zeynalov on his page on Twitter @ mahirzeynalov wrote: "Turkish prosecutors ordered police to arrest individuals associated with Al Qaeda, but police chiefs designated by Erdogan policedid not comply with this order."

Erdogan appealed against Zeynalov for the insults and incitement on Twitter.

The Turkish Interior Ministry, referring to the 5683 Act on the Residence of Foreigners in Turkey, saw a threat to the national security in Zeynalov's stay in Turkey and decided to deport Zeynalov.

Zeynalov has lived in Turkey for 4 years and the term of his authorization expires on March 10, 2014.

15 months ago he married a Turkish citizen and acquired the right of permanent residence in this country.

In turn, Zeynalov said that the source of his publications on Twitter was open information from the Turkish media .

The famous Turkish journalist Yavuz Baydar regarded the man's deportation as a blow to media freedom in Turkey.

OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatovic wrote on her Twitter that she was shocked by the decision of the Turkish authorities to deport the Azerbaijani journalist and considers this decision another wrong step from Ankara against press freedom. -16D06 -