22 April 2009, 21:20

Miklos Harasti: criminal punishment for defamation should be cancelled in Azerbaijan

The OSCE spokesman on freedom of mass media Miklos Harasti has welcomed liberation in Azerbaijan of three journalists from custody and called the authorities of the country to cancel criminal prosecution for defamation.

Mr Harasti's message sent to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliev, expresses satisfaction on the occasion of amnestying satirical poet Mirza Sakit (Sakit Zakhidov), journalist of the "Azadlyg" (Freedom) newspaper and Ali Gasanov, editor of the "Ideal" newspaper, who was released on April 11. Besides, Miklos Harasti gave positive estimate to the cancellation by the Appeal Court of the verdict on imprisonment for the term of 1 year passed to Asif Marzili, editor-in-chief of the newspaper "Gezadlar" (Contrasts) newspaper.

At the same time, Mr Harasti has expressed hope that Azerbaijan will bring its legislation into conformity with European standards in the issue of defamation.

"Your positive intentions will bear fruit only if transformed into legal reforms," runs Mr Harasti's letter to Mr Aliev; the text of the letter arrived to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent from the Baku office of the OSCE. In particular, Miklos Harasti calls the authorities of Azerbaijan to cancel criminal punishments for defamation.

He has also expressed his concern of the two recently passed amendments to the law on mass media and television and radio broadcasting. He has asked the country's leader to return the law on television and radio broadcasting back to Parliament for revision and bringing into conformity with international standards and country's obligations.

"I hope that the present positive tendency to release journalists will soon affect the fate of those who are still in custody - Einullah Fatullaev, Ganimat Zakhidov and Mushvig Guseinov," runs the letter.

Author: Faik Medzhid Source: CK correspondent

All news
НАСТОЯЩИЙ МАТЕРИАЛ (ИНФОРМАЦИЯ) ПРОИЗВЕДЕН И РАСПРОСТРАНЕН ИНОСТРАННЫМ АГЕНТОМ ООО “МЕМО”, ЛИБО КАСАЕТСЯ ДЕЯТЕЛЬНОСТИ ИНОСТРАННОГО АГЕНТА ООО “МЕМО”.

November 14, 2024 22:40

  • Kuban resident fined for pacifist post on Telegram

    The court has fined Anton Timoshenko, a resident of the Pavlovsky District of Kuban (the Krasnodar Territory), for a pacifist video placed by him in a Telegram channel criticizing the special military operation (SMO) in Ukraine.

November 14, 2024 19:39

November 13, 2024 23:56

November 13, 2024 23:16

  • Kabardino-Balkarian resident fined for discrediting Russian Army

    The Prokhladnensky District Court has found the allegations that local resident Viktor Marchuk had spoken in a negative way about the special military operation (SMO) in Ukraine proven. The man has been fined 30,000 roubles under the article on discrediting the Russian Armed Forces.

November 13, 2024 22:25

  • Court in Georgievsk holds hearing on Makhachkala riots

    A court hearing was held in Georgievsk on the case of five residents of Dagestan, whom investigators treat as participants in the riots that broke out at the Makhachkala Airport. At the request of the advocate of one of the defendants, the judge removed a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent from the courtroom.

News archive