Official opposed to politicizing bloggers` arrest
A senior Azerbaijani official has expressed
disappointment with politicizing of the recent arrest of two young
bloggers and using it to the country`s detriment.
"Unfortunately, sometimes they politicize such actions in Azerbaijan, stage a show and then use it against Azerbaijani statehood," said Ali Hasanov, head of the Presidential Administration socio-political department.
Bloggers Adnan Hajizade and Emin Milli were arrested after a brawl at a restaurant in Baku on July 8 and charged with hooliganism. According to law enforcement agencies, they misbehaved and used force against two other men. The two were remanded in custody for two months pending trial. A number of international rights groups have claimed the charges are baseless.
Hasanov noted that the Prosecutor-General`s Office and the Interior Ministry have already issued a statement detailing the circumstances and reasons for the bloggers` apprehension.
According to him, a further decision on the case is to be passed by the court.
"Without a court ruling, embellishing developments like this, politicizing and assessing them in this manner could be interpreted as pressure and influence, in some shape or form, on court decisions. It is for this reason that I don`t want to make any additional comments."
Hasanov said he questions the statements by some international groups on deteriorating freedom of speech and press in Azerbaijan.
"Azerbaijan always takes into account recommendations of the international organizations that it is party to. Unfortunately, subjective opinions prevail in the statements of these organizations…Though we are bringing to their attention the bias in such opinions, statements of this nature continue," Hasanov told the ruling New Azerbaijan Party`s website.
Miklos Haraszti, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, claimed in an interview with Reuters last week that free speech and media are facing pressure in Azerbaijan. Haraszti went as far as saying that "free speech is dying" in the country.
Hasanov made clear that free speech and media are pivotal for Azerbaijan.
"This is the core of the path chosen by Azerbaijan. We do take into account the feedback of international organizations, but are proceeding our own way."
"Unfortunately, sometimes they politicize such actions in Azerbaijan, stage a show and then use it against Azerbaijani statehood," said Ali Hasanov, head of the Presidential Administration socio-political department.
Bloggers Adnan Hajizade and Emin Milli were arrested after a brawl at a restaurant in Baku on July 8 and charged with hooliganism. According to law enforcement agencies, they misbehaved and used force against two other men. The two were remanded in custody for two months pending trial. A number of international rights groups have claimed the charges are baseless.
Hasanov noted that the Prosecutor-General`s Office and the Interior Ministry have already issued a statement detailing the circumstances and reasons for the bloggers` apprehension.
According to him, a further decision on the case is to be passed by the court.
"Without a court ruling, embellishing developments like this, politicizing and assessing them in this manner could be interpreted as pressure and influence, in some shape or form, on court decisions. It is for this reason that I don`t want to make any additional comments."
Hasanov said he questions the statements by some international groups on deteriorating freedom of speech and press in Azerbaijan.
"Azerbaijan always takes into account recommendations of the international organizations that it is party to. Unfortunately, subjective opinions prevail in the statements of these organizations…Though we are bringing to their attention the bias in such opinions, statements of this nature continue," Hasanov told the ruling New Azerbaijan Party`s website.
Miklos Haraszti, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, claimed in an interview with Reuters last week that free speech and media are facing pressure in Azerbaijan. Haraszti went as far as saying that "free speech is dying" in the country.
Hasanov made clear that free speech and media are pivotal for Azerbaijan.
"This is the core of the path chosen by Azerbaijan. We do take into account the feedback of international organizations, but are proceeding our own way."
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