AGYL HALIL: I LIVE IN FREE SOCIETY (TURAN�S INTERVIEW WITH AGYL HALIL, AZADLIG DAILY�S EX-CORRESPONDENT)
On February 22, 2008 25-year-old correspondent Agyl Halil worked on the report about illegal sale of lands in Baku"s olive wood. Officers of the National Security Ministry Akif Jovdarov and Dagbei Allakhverdiyev have pressured him, took away his photo camera and attempted to stifle him with the camera"s cord. The journalist survived and lodged complaint to police station. The journalist was pressured and demanded to withdraw his complaint. There was even an attempt to bribe him, but he refused of the deal.
On March 13, 2008 two persons attacked Halil at the street and stabbed him in his heart. On April 7, 2008 General Prosecutor"s Office refuted that the case of politically motivated. It stated that crime against the journalist was committed by "his sexual partner."
But Agyl refuted the Prosecutor"s Office"s version and accused it of blackmail and tortures.
Despite numerous demands and protests of international organizations, Azerbaijani authorities insisted on this version.
On May 10 and 11, 2008 frontier guards did not let Agyl to depart to Turkey and Georgia. On June 19, 2008 he was not allowed to fly to Paris at the invitation of the French embassy. In the end on July 24, 2008 the journalist could leave the country, owing to efforts of French diplomats and Reporters Without Borders organization.
What is your legal position right now? Has your visa been extended?
- Term of the visa has been extended till August 2009 for two reasons. The first reason is that the officers of the Ministry of National Security, who have made an attempt upon my life, are still on their position. The second reason is that Azerbaijani government did not provide guarantees of my safety, in case of my return, to Reporters Without Borders (RWB). My return can be risky and I have also entered the preparatory course in Sorbonna University. Therefore, now I have a chance to study here.
- Where and how do you live? Who sponsors your residence?
- Since my arrival I have been living in `La Maison des Journalistes`. Here I have everything I need - round-the-clock internet and food and all services are paid by French media. My expenses are, particularly, paid by RWB and Paris Match TV channel, but I would not like to call the exact sum.
- What is your daily routine?
- Frankly speaking, it seemed to me ridiculous, when somebody in Azerbaijan said that he or she lives on schedule. Living on schedule reminds me of the army. This way of life is boring. In Baku I always was in the centre of events. In Azadlig daily I had to cover all possible events, even if I did not want sometimes. Here everything is absolute different. I live on schedule, except for weekends. I attend French language courses from 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. Three times a week I attend additional two-hour courses of lexical and phraseology practice. In addition, I also attend caricature courses in `La Maison des Journalistes``. After 4.00 p.m. I go to the swimming poll. The rest of the time I to go to the movie theatres and museums .
- Do you have friends here?
- Of course, I have friends from many countries. Many of them have been also pressured in their home countries. I also some French friends. Elsa Vidal, employee of RWB, and other RWB employees are my best friends.
- Frankly speaking, my first and current impression of French people is absolutely different. I even did not know that French people are so hospitable. I always thought that Azerbaijanis are the best. But after spending six months in Paris I think differently, but don"t think that I speak like that simply because I am in France right now. When I have just arrived in France our friend Shakhvalad Chobanoglu said: "Agyl will like freedom and humanity in France. He will draw new conclusions and even think differently." A lot has changed during these six months. I have familiarized myself with system of European media and their representatives. Famous people call me and ask how I am. I have met with Kofi Annan, ex-UN Secretary General. At one of the diplomatic meetings I told him Ganimat Zahid"s last word at the trial and he was disappointed to know that this journalist is under arrest in Azerbaijan.
- Who pays for your education?
- In December 2008 I submitted my documents to Sorbonna University for entrance to the preparatory course. The lessons will start in February and during a year I will choose a profession. I think it will be sociology. The education is funded by ``La Maison des Journalistes.``
- Do you miss Azerbaijan?
- I am emigrant, irrespective of my status, and only the one who have passed through that can understand me. Just imagine that you live in an absolutely strange place and you have nobody to share your joy and pain with. This makes the person hard-hearted, but I do not miss Azerbaijan, where people are impudently attacked. I think that everything that had happened to me is because I am Azerbaijani. Is it a sin to be Azerbaijani in Azerbaijan? Azerbaijani regime does not give a chance to Azerbaijanis to live freely. Azerbaijan will have monarchy soon. Why should I miss all that?
How can you describe difference between democratic and authoritarian country?
- While living in a democratic country I deeply regret all that is happening in authoritarian Azerbaijan. The country"s policy has no perspectives. Authorities try to turn back history. Our authoritarian regime is strengthened by means of oil revenues and police. All world countries can be divided into two groups. The first group includes Zimbabwe, Uganda, Nigeria, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan can be also listed among these countries. The second group includes democratic countries. In these countries, including France, citizens cannot be elected president for more than two terms. But even these countries do not have arbitrariness, which reigns in Azerbaijan. In France Azerbaijan looks like as authoritarian country with the clan regime, blatant violation of human rights, high corruption level, rich resources and high poverty rate.
- How do French people live? Which rules of this country do attract you?
- French people can live and enjoy life. They have one interesting feature - they can be absolutely sincere and absolutely insincere. Law is one for all without exception. Rights of homeless people and president are equal. I respect all laws and rules of the normal country, in which I live.
- Do you regret arriving in this country?
- I did not want to leave my country till the last moment. I did not choose a specific country, I was ready to go even to Siberia, but I did not want to stay in Azerbaijan any more. I would like to thank U.S. embassy and embassies of European countries, especially of France, for pulling me out of the hands of "the Strekalin regime." Here in France I speak about Ali Hasanov, who always calls France a pro-Armenian country. At first I could not understand people"s reaction - they just smiled. But now I know for sure that this is not true. Armenia has strong lobbies in all countries of the world. But what is Azerbaijani lobby doing in France? It just studies its own interests as everywhere. As far as I know, 2009 is announced the year of advertisement of Pashayev family, instead of the year of Hojaly tragedy. The government organizes various celebrations. I had no chance to be there, but I am informed that lots of people from abroad were invited to these celebrations under the motto "Long Lives Oil!"
What would you like to say to your colleagues in Azerbaijan?
- I would like to say just one word - "Hang In There!" - as they used to say to me.
- Would you like to stay and work in France?
- I always wanted to work on profession, irrespective of place of residence. At present the country does not matter for me, I have my own plans for the future. I would like to carry into life my plans to do something for Azerbaijan and my Azerbaijani colleagues with Allah"s help.
Do you like French women?
- French women are simple both in communication and in their dressing. I think Azerbaijani women lack this simplicity. In his novel "King of Football" Aziz Nesin writes that for a real man Paris means a woman. I would like to confirm his words. But as everywhere here you can also find "capricious" women.
Do you miss Azerbaijani cuisine?
- At first I could not get used to local food and "cheeseburgers." Then I found Arabian restaurant. Arabian food is similar to Azerbaijani one. I especially like "kus-kus." But sometimes I miss my mom"s food and sitting with my family at the dinner table...
- What did you get from living in France?
- I can say just one thing - I am happy being far away from the bands named law enforcement agencies, politically motivated arrests of journalists, education mutilating young people and Aliyev regime. I live in a healthy and clean environment and this is the best thing I have gained.
Paris
29/01/2009
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