Press Review 07/03/2017

The visits of President Ilham Aliyev to the Islamic states, the rise in the prices of food, the reasons for the arrest of the journalist F. Faramazoglu, and the problem of demolition of housing in Sovetskaya Street are the leading topics of today's press.

The newspaper Azerbaijan writes about the recent visits of Ilham Aliyev to the Muslim countries - Qatar, Pakistan, and Iran. This indicates the intention to expand ties with these countries, the author emphasizes, noting in particular the ties with Iran.

The website Azadliq.info writes about the reasons for the arrest of the journalist Fikret Faramazoglu. According to the available version, he had a video, on which the MNS officers blackmailed entrepreneurs. It was these CDs and flash cards that were searched for in the journalist’s car and apartment. However, the journalist could not understand what he was being asked for, since he did not have any blackmail material.

Novoye Vremya has published an article titled Prices for Meat Grow Rapidly, and Ministry of Agriculture Hopes for Fairs.

Butchers explain the rise in the prices with the higher prices for utilities and corruption.

Prices for meat jumped to 16 manat, although in late February, a kilogram of beef cost 11-12 manat. The Ministry of Agriculture asserts that the production of meat and chicken in the country is growing. In rural areas, a kilogram of beef costs 8-9 manat, and in Baku meat without bones is sold at 16 manat.

The website Musavat.com writes about the demolition of housing in the former Soviet Street, as well as about the situation of people still remaining in their old houses and about the utilities problems they face. The sum of 1,500 manat proposed for 1 square meter of the housing to be demolished is not comparable to the current economic conditions. This amount should be at least 2,000 manat.