Bloggers’ arrests abroad question fairness of int’l criticism
An extensive campaign has been pursued in Azerbaijan
in recent months in light of the arrest and conviction of two
youngsters - Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade – known to many as
bloggers. A slew of international organizations, including the
European Union and the OSCE, as well as the US State Department,
have issued statements expressing concern over the activists’
apprehension.
A Baku court, on November 11, 2009, sentenced Emin Milli, 30, an ANTV Online TV blogger and coordinator in the youth organization Alumni Network, to two-and-a-half years in prison, while video blogger Adnan Hajizade, 26, was sentenced to two years in prison. The activists were charged with hooliganism and an assault on two other men. However, international rights champions and organizations have claimed that the bloggers’ arrest was due to their critical writings on the Internet.
But it appears that foreign circles, which are issuing critical statements about Azerbaijan, are not fully aware of ongoing events in their own countries or are simply not interested in telling the truth about the real situation at home.
According to reports, an American blogger and radio show host named Hal Turner is facing the threat of being cast behind bars. Turner, who comes from the US state of New Jersey, was arrested in late June 2009 for threats which he made against federal judges with the United States Court of Appeals in Chicago. Turner was denied bail.
Prior to his arrest, his program, The Hal Turner Show, was a webcast originating from his home once a week.
On June 2, 2009, Turner posted on his blog: "Let me be the first to say this plainly: These judges deserve to be killed. Their blood will replenish the tree of liberty. A small price to pay to assure freedom for millions."
The next day Turner posted the addresses of Chief Judge Frank Easterbrook and Judges Richard Posner and William Joseph Bauer.
Turner was earlier arrested and charged with inciting injury to two politicians in Connecticut. He was accused of encouraging his website's readers to "take up arms" against the officials. Turner was subsequently re-arrested on June 24 for making threats against the Chicago court judges.
Turner claims he was a paid FBI informant for several years, supplying information about right-wing terrorism to federal agents, reports say. He pleaded not guilty. Subsequently, in late October Turner was freed on $500,000 bond, and was ordered not to use a computer or any device that can access the Internet. His trial started on November 30, 2009 and ended December 4, 2009. After two hours of discussion, the jury announced it was deadlocked.
We recall that in 2006, a blogger named Vikram Buddhi was arrested over criticizing the Bush family and was subsequently convicted.
A number of bloggers have been arrested to date in countries around the world. According to a report of the Threatened Voices rights group, their number is 34 in China, including 24 who are still jailed, 28 in Egypt and 19 in Tunisia, including three who remain in prison. In Morocco and Malaysia, three bloggers each have been arrested, but later released from custody. Two bloggers each have been detained but subsequently freed in the United Arab Emirates and Russia. Britain has detained two bloggers who remain in prison, while in the U.S., two have been arrested and released in the past. One blogger each remains jailed in Australia, Canada, Germany and Finland. Also, one blogger each has been arrested but later released in Croatia, South Korea, Monaco, Moldova, Venezuela, and South Africa.
Considering all these facts, it would make sense if the US embassy in Baku brought clarity to the arrests of the American blogger Turner as well as other bloggers.*
A Baku court, on November 11, 2009, sentenced Emin Milli, 30, an ANTV Online TV blogger and coordinator in the youth organization Alumni Network, to two-and-a-half years in prison, while video blogger Adnan Hajizade, 26, was sentenced to two years in prison. The activists were charged with hooliganism and an assault on two other men. However, international rights champions and organizations have claimed that the bloggers’ arrest was due to their critical writings on the Internet.
But it appears that foreign circles, which are issuing critical statements about Azerbaijan, are not fully aware of ongoing events in their own countries or are simply not interested in telling the truth about the real situation at home.
According to reports, an American blogger and radio show host named Hal Turner is facing the threat of being cast behind bars. Turner, who comes from the US state of New Jersey, was arrested in late June 2009 for threats which he made against federal judges with the United States Court of Appeals in Chicago. Turner was denied bail.
Prior to his arrest, his program, The Hal Turner Show, was a webcast originating from his home once a week.
On June 2, 2009, Turner posted on his blog: "Let me be the first to say this plainly: These judges deserve to be killed. Their blood will replenish the tree of liberty. A small price to pay to assure freedom for millions."
The next day Turner posted the addresses of Chief Judge Frank Easterbrook and Judges Richard Posner and William Joseph Bauer.
Turner was earlier arrested and charged with inciting injury to two politicians in Connecticut. He was accused of encouraging his website's readers to "take up arms" against the officials. Turner was subsequently re-arrested on June 24 for making threats against the Chicago court judges.
Turner claims he was a paid FBI informant for several years, supplying information about right-wing terrorism to federal agents, reports say. He pleaded not guilty. Subsequently, in late October Turner was freed on $500,000 bond, and was ordered not to use a computer or any device that can access the Internet. His trial started on November 30, 2009 and ended December 4, 2009. After two hours of discussion, the jury announced it was deadlocked.
We recall that in 2006, a blogger named Vikram Buddhi was arrested over criticizing the Bush family and was subsequently convicted.
A number of bloggers have been arrested to date in countries around the world. According to a report of the Threatened Voices rights group, their number is 34 in China, including 24 who are still jailed, 28 in Egypt and 19 in Tunisia, including three who remain in prison. In Morocco and Malaysia, three bloggers each have been arrested, but later released from custody. Two bloggers each have been detained but subsequently freed in the United Arab Emirates and Russia. Britain has detained two bloggers who remain in prison, while in the U.S., two have been arrested and released in the past. One blogger each remains jailed in Australia, Canada, Germany and Finland. Also, one blogger each has been arrested but later released in Croatia, South Korea, Monaco, Moldova, Venezuela, and South Africa.
Considering all these facts, it would make sense if the US embassy in Baku brought clarity to the arrests of the American blogger Turner as well as other bloggers.*
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