Ilham Aliyev: Murder of Journalist - Threat to Democratic Values

The authorities seek to reassure the public after the beating and murder of the reporter Rasim Aliyev. So the Advisor of the President Ali Hasanov gave information on behalf of the Head of State today.

The report said that Ilham Aliyev was "seriously concerned" about the information about the attack and the death of the journalist.

"The Head of State assesses the incident as a threat to independent media," the report says.

Ensuring media freedom is one of the priorities of the Azerbaijani state, as part of the democratic principles. Violation of these principles contradicts the policy of the country and is totally unacceptable, Ali Hasanov quoted the Head of State.

"After learning about the incident, Ilham Aliyev gave instructions to the Prosecutor General and the head of the Interior Ministry to start an investigation and to find and punish the perpetrators as soon as possible. The investigation of the crime is under control of the Head of State," Hasanov said.

It is noteworthy that earlier the same day, Ali Hasanov called "unacceptable" that some of the media, without waiting for the official information of state bodies, interpret what happened "in different directions."

Playing the role of Hasanov’s assistant, the head of the Press Council Aflatun Amashov went even further, declaring the attempt of the interested parties to politicize the death inadmissible. -02D-