Lobby group protests embezzlement claims
The World Azeris Congress (WAC), a group bringing
together Azeris throughout the globe, has issued a statement of
protest to a TV channel airing in neighboring Iran.
It said the Seher (Morning) channel, which broadcasts in Azeri, last Wednesday accused the organization`s co-chairman, MP Sabir Rustamkhanly, of embezzling the funds allocated to WAC.
The WAC steering board dismissed the allegations as libel, saying the group is not financed from outside sources and operates using donations from influential and well-to-do persons such as Rustamkhanly.
The statement maintained that Iran`s secret service regularly circulates false reports about the WAC to counter the activity of the group, which defends the rights of some 35 million Azeris who live in Iran, and is striving to raise their problems in influential international organizations.
The WAC said, further, that due to its stepping up activity around the world and increasing its influence, Iranian secret service agencies have bolstered their efforts to counter its influence. The group vehemently opposed what it called the libel they aired through the Seher TV channel and called on Iran to end "such sinister actions that are inconsistent with Islamic morals."
It also requested Azerbaijan`s Ministries of Communications and Information Technologies and National Security to counter the broadcasts in the country of Seher, which, according to the WAC, is pursuing a campaign against Azerbaijani statehood.
Seher, previously aired in southern Azerbaijan, close to those Iranian regions densely populated by Azeris. Following talks between the two countries, restrictions were imposed on the TV channel`s broadcasts in the country`s territory and even a special device was installed on the Azeri-Iranian border to block the broadcasts.
It said the Seher (Morning) channel, which broadcasts in Azeri, last Wednesday accused the organization`s co-chairman, MP Sabir Rustamkhanly, of embezzling the funds allocated to WAC.
The WAC steering board dismissed the allegations as libel, saying the group is not financed from outside sources and operates using donations from influential and well-to-do persons such as Rustamkhanly.
The statement maintained that Iran`s secret service regularly circulates false reports about the WAC to counter the activity of the group, which defends the rights of some 35 million Azeris who live in Iran, and is striving to raise their problems in influential international organizations.
The WAC said, further, that due to its stepping up activity around the world and increasing its influence, Iranian secret service agencies have bolstered their efforts to counter its influence. The group vehemently opposed what it called the libel they aired through the Seher TV channel and called on Iran to end "such sinister actions that are inconsistent with Islamic morals."
It also requested Azerbaijan`s Ministries of Communications and Information Technologies and National Security to counter the broadcasts in the country of Seher, which, according to the WAC, is pursuing a campaign against Azerbaijani statehood.
Seher, previously aired in southern Azerbaijan, close to those Iranian regions densely populated by Azeris. Following talks between the two countries, restrictions were imposed on the TV channel`s broadcasts in the country`s territory and even a special device was installed on the Azeri-Iranian border to block the broadcasts.
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