Press Review for 16.02.13

Official newspapers cover the meetings of Ilham Aliyev and decrees  signed  by him. 

These newspapers continue the campaign of harassment  the writer Akram Aylisli, and  offensive articles about the opposition.

"Azadlig" writes that the arrested ex-MP Guler Akhmadova is  blackmailed, and that's why her  health  worsened.

Dismissal of the  chief executives of  Ismayilli and  Shamakhi regions is “an  imitation of changes,” says columnist of the newspaper.

Director of Media Rights Institute, Rashid Hajili, considers that the fine "Azadlig" newspaper 30.000 manat is  part of a plan to eliminate paper.

British MPs regard the support of Azerbaijani authorities by their government counterparts in PACE  is a blow to the image of the organization.

Ombudsman Elmira Suleymanova regarded the burning of books like as fascism.

Writer Akram Aylisli called the authorities' attitude to his book "Stone Dreams" as  manifestation "of Stalinism and feudalism."

"Zerkalo" :   USA and Russia are prepared to fight for the South Caucasus, says columnist.

Despite the call of Hafiz Hajiyev, the head of the "Modern Musavat" party, to cut ear of the  writer Akram Aylisli,  he was only  "warned."

"Echo": Azerbaijanis annually spend on luxury AZN 300 million. Moreover, 80% of this amount is spent on imported goods.

Residents of Azerbaijan daily consume 400 liters of water, which is by four times higher than in Europe.

"New Time" regards criticism by pro-government deputies the  state officials as a "crisis of power."

"Bizim Yol" called the adopted amendments to the laws on tightening  financial control over NGOs as "the imposition of oppressive laws."

"Yeni Musavat"

After Aliyev threatened officers, some of them "put their children under house arrest."

The arrested Gular Akhmedova  was deprived of her beauty-salon  "Monica."

Toughening  laws against NGOs  is caused by the return of the Soros Foundation  to Azerbaijan. -0-