MOSLEM WORLD TO CELEBRATE COMPLETION OF HOLY MONTH RAMADAN ON 25 NOVEMBER
BAKU/24.11.03/TURAN: Moslem world celebrates Fitra on 25 November. This marks the completion of holy month of Ramadan, started on 27 October. Monthly moslem fasting - orudjlug - is completing on the same day.
Last iftar ceremony - supper of fasting Moslem - will be served tonight.
Sources in Teze Pir mosque told TURAN that celebrating namaz would be served at 8.22 am on 25 November.
One of main features of Ramadan is fitra donation for disadvantageous people. Fitra amount is fixed at the minimum of 3 thousand AZM per family member. These funds must be paid tonight or tomorrow before celebrating namaz.
25 November is a legal holiday in Azerbaijan.--0--
ILHAM ALIYEV HOPES FOR SETTLEMENT OF CRISIS AND SOON NORMALIZATION OF SITUATION IN GEORGIA
BAKU/24.11.03/TURAN: Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has expressed hope that crisis in Georgia will soon be settled and the situation will normalize. I.Aliyev said in his interview with journalists that Baku "is interested in preservation of stability in Georgia".
He indicated that 500 thousand ethnic Azeris were settled in Georgia and the Government of Azerbaijan cannot stay indifferent to their fates. I.Aliyev said he did not yet have contacts with new leadership of Georgia.
According to Aliyev, crisis in Georgia does not establish any threat to implementation of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline project, because "this project has international status and enjoys support of international financial institutes". At the same time, Aliyev admitted that further destabilization of situation in Georgia may affect the implementation of such projects. --0--
EVENTS IN GEORGIA TO NOT AFFECT IMPLEMENTATION OF REGIONAL ENERGY PROJECTS, SAYS SOCAR PRESIDENT
BAKU/24.11.03/TURAN: Latest events in Georgia will not affect the implementation of Azerbaijan's large energy projects, said Natig Aliyev, President of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan in his conversation with journalists.
He said that large-scale projects carried out in Azerbaijan are regional and profitable for Georgia.
"Georgia already has a real income from Baku-Supsa oil pipeline, but profits will grow significantly during operation of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline. Implementation of Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline project will allow Georgia to not only earn on transit of gas, but solve the problem of gas importation, which is important for energy security of the country", the President of SOCAR said.
* Georgia earns over $8 million of profit from Azeri oil transportation through Baku-Supsa oil pipeline. Georgia will earn at least $50 million annually after launch of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline in 2005.
Operation of Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline will allow Georgia to annually receive 500 million cubic meters of gas annually from Azerbaijan at lower prices than world ones.--0--
PRESENTATION OF AZERI-LANGUAGE AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL REPORT "HUMAN RIGHTS ALONG OIL PIPELINE" TAKES PLACE
BAKU/24.11.03/TURAN: The Baku Press Club has held today a presentation of human rights organization Amnesty International's report "Human Rights Along Oil Pipeline" in Azeri language.
The report was translated by Candidate of Sciences Mayis Gulaliyev. The material covers preservation of human rights in areas of oil pipeline construction.
Mayis Gulaliyev said at the ceremony that the report reflected facts of human rights violation as the result of Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline construction. Gulaliyev said the project would not bring profits to Azerbaijan. Not only violation of human rights, the Karabakh problem will not be solved in favor of Azerbaijan.
Expert Zardusht Alizade said at the presentation that petroleum companies safeguarded their oil interests, but were not interested in holding of free and fair elections in Azerbaijan.--0--
NO NEW VERSIONS OF KARABAKH SETTLEMENT EXIST, SAYS US CO-CHAIR OF OSCE MINSK GROUP
MOSCOW/24.11.03/TURAN: There are five or six versions of Karabakh settlement. There are no fundamentally new decisions. Nevertheless, the mediators are attempting to find newer approaches, said Rudolf Perina, US co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group in his interview with Nezavisimaya Gazeta of Moscow.
"We worked in this direction last year and new ideas - not new proposals - but new ideas at this stage, may appear", he noted.
Perina considers that certain progress in negotiation process is possible after elections were held. "We have very good opportunities now: we have two presidents with new mandates. If there is a hope to find a decision, it is at this stage. And we want to use it", noted Perina.
Asked if he views Karabakh as a part of Azerbaijan, or as independent state, Perina noted that USA supports territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and does not recognize the independence of Nagorno Karabakh. At the same time he considers that the final status of Nagorno Karabakh must be developed in process of many-sided negotiations and must be acceptable for all sides. A decision based on mutual consent may only bring true peace and stability in the region.
Concerning calls for military resolution of Karabakh problem, Perina said such development of events would be "a tragedy".--0--
MAHIR JAVADOV SAYS HE DOES NOT HAVE PROBLEMS WITH ILHAM ALIYEV AND HE WISHES TO RETURN TO AZERBAIJAN
BAKU/24.11.03/TURAN: Mahir Javadov - brother of Rovshan Javadov, late commander of Special Police Units OPON stated his intention to stop enmity with the authorities of Azerbaijan and return to his motherland. He said this in conversation with Eldar Zeynalov, director of the Human Rights Center of Azerbaijan, during their recent meeting in Vienna.
Eldar Zeynalov said to TURAN that the meeting was initiated by Mahir Javadov who requested Zeynalov to distribute news of his willingness to return to Azerbaijan and work. "I had problems with the father (Heydar Aliyev), not with his son, and I do not want a confrontation. I want to reconcile", said Mahir Javadov.
He considers that the authorities could provide him with work in Azerbaijan or in Azerbaijan's representation abroad.
Mahir Javadov considers his return to Azerbaijan is real because his nephew Lachin, son of Rovshan Javadov, managed to do it.
It should be reminded that Mahir Javadov, former prosecutor of Hatayi district of Baku is searched by Azerbaijani authorities on charge with organization of attempted coup d'etat by Special Police Units OPON in March of 1995. He is searched in relation with the criminal case and charged with organization of illegal military formations, military seize of power, etc. There were armed clashes between OPON and governmental forces in the west of Azerbaijan and in Baku. Almost 100 persons were killed in clashes. OPON activities were guided by brothers Mahir and Rovshan Javadovs. At that time Mahir was dismissed from position of prosecutor, and Rovshan was deputy interior minister of Azerbaijan.
Sources in law enforcement authorities said to TURAN concerning Mahir Javadov's statement that he would be arrested if returns to Azerbaijan. Otherwise criminal proceeding against him must either be closed or he must be amnestied by the authorities.
* Having escaped from Azerbaijan, Mahir Javadov secured himself political asylum in Austria. For the last two years he lived in Iran, but recently returned to Austria. In emigration, Mahir Javadov was active opponent of the ruling regime and called on his followers to overthrow the current government.--0--
ELECTION MONITORING CENTER PUBLISHES FINAL REPORT ON PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
BAKU/24.11.03/TURAN: The legislation of Azerbaijan in the field of organization and holding of elections and activity of local observers, did not allow to hold free and democratic elections. This information is contained in final report on results of long-term monitoring of presidential elections distributed by the Election Monitoring Center of NGOs of Azerbaijan.
The report reads that equal conditions were not established for all political forces in the course of electoral campaign. Besides, pressure was exerted upon political parties, NGOs and mass media. Other irregularities included exclusion of numerous electors from electoral roll, police and executive authorities interference into voting process, etc.
Election Monitoring Center considers these irregularities must be investigated and public discussions organized with participation of authorities and opposition. Investigation in cases of arrested persons must be impartial and transparent. Besides, the authorities must undertake holding of democratic elections next time.--0--
HEALTH CONDITION OF ARRESTED EDITOR OF YENI MUSAVAT NEWSPAPER WORSENS
BAKU/24.11.03/TURAN: Health condition of Rauf Arifoglu, chief editor of Yeni Musavat newspaper, has significantly worsened. He has strong stomach aches, said lawyer Tufan Kerim to TURAN after meeting with his client.
He noted that keeping conditions of Arifoglu in Bayil investigation isolator were unsatisfactory. "He is kept in a single cold and wet cell", the lawyer said.
He said that Rauf Arifoglu made a statement today demanding for immediate release of all political prisoners, including people arrested on 15-16 October. He also demanded to fulfil the requirements reflected in OSCE final report by the results of presidential elections and to take due measures for elimination of falsification of elections. If these demands are not fulfilled during one week, Rauf Arifoglu will start a termless hunger strike on 1 December. He expressed hope that the political prisoners and community representatives will join to the action, the lawyer noted.
Rauf Arifoglu was arrested on 27 October on charge with violation of two articles of the Criminal Code: 220.1 (organization of disorders), 315.2 (insubordination to state officers).--0--
AZERBAIJAN PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV SENDS CONGRATULATING TELEGRAM TO DZUNITIRO KOIDZUMI ON OCCASION OF REPEATED ELECTION AS PRIME MINISTER OF JAPAN
BAKU/24.11.03/TURAN: Ilham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan, has sent a congratulating telegram to Japanese Prime Minister Dzunitiro Koidzumi on occasion of his repeated election to this position. The message expresses hope that the sides will consequently continue their efforts for strengthening of friendship and mutually profitable cooperation between Azerbaijan and Japan.--0-
ILHAM ALIYEV RECEIVES DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER OF JAPAN
BAKU/24.11.03/TURAN: Prospects of development of Azerbaijani-Japanese relations were discussed at today's meeting between President Ilham Aliyev and Deputy Foreign Minister of Japan Ichiro Fuchisaki,
During the meeting, Ilham Aliyev highly estimated Japan's participation in energy projects in Azerbaijan, as well as award of preferential credits and grants.
I.Aliyev said that Azerbaijan would soon open its Embassy in Tokyo.
Fuchisaka in turn noted that the Government of Japan would further support Azerbaijan's efforts of transition to market economy. "Japan considers Azerbaijan an important country. We will continue to cooperate with Azerbaijan", Japanese diplomat has said.
He welcomed Baku's decision to open Embassy in Tokyo.--0--
HUMAN RIGHTS CENTER OF AZERBAIJAN BECOMES FULL-RIGHT MEMBER OF INTERNATIONAL HELSINKI FEDERATION
BAKU/24.11.03/TURAN: The Human Rights Center of Azerbaijan has become a full-right member of the International Helsinki Federation. HRC director Eldar Zeynalov said to TURAN about it.
He said that HRC was the only member of IHF from South Caucasian countries. The decision on admission of HRC was taken at IHF General Assembly in Vienna on 13-16 November.--0--
INTERNATIONAL PRESS CENTER STARTS SEMINAR DEVOTED TO LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT DEVELOPMENT
BAKU/24.11.03/TURAN: The International Press Center has started today a three-day seminar devoted to development of local self-government in Azerbaijan. The forum was organized by non-governmental organization "For Civil Society", Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities, under financial support of the Foreign Ministry of Norway.
Professor Eldar Ismaylov, head of "For Civil Society" noted in his opening speech that assistance to development of municipalities was one of the most important aspects of organization development. The seminar was targeted at discussing opportunities of assisting in development of six pilot municipalities in various regions of Azerbaijan.
Elita Sakule, a representative of the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities said that the seminar would analyse the situation in those municipalities and develop programs of technical assistance and promotion of socio-economic programs implementation.
Steinar Gil, the Ambassador of Norway to Azerbaijan, noted that municipalities played important role in democratic society. Active involvement of the population in local self-government is therefore extremely important.--0--
GEORGIAN PRESIDENT EDWARD SHEVARDNADZE RESIGNS UNDER OPPOSITION PRESSURE
TBILISI/24.11.03/TURAN-BSPRESS: Georgian President Edward Shevardnadze resigned at approximately 9 pm on Sunday. This decision resulted from a continuous confrontation between Shevardnadze and opposition, started after 2 November parliamentary elections.
Shevardnadze decided to resign after meeting opposition leaders Zurab Zhvania and Mikhayil Saakashvili. Upon completion of the meeting, Shevardnadze said to journalists that in order to avoid a bloodshed, he decided to resign. He said he had "a sincere conversation" with opposition leaders and they came to mutual agreement.
Mikhayil Saakashvili, leader of the National Movement said that Edward Shevardnadze must stay in country, and every security guarantees must be provided to his family. He further stated that "the President made a steadfast step to prevent bloodshed in Georgia".
Nino Burdjanadze, speaker of the former Parliament, is the acting president.
Political crisis in Georgia developed rapidly and reached its peak last weekend. At 5.15 pm on Saturday the opposition broke into sitting of newly-elected Parliament and interuppted the sitting.
Shevardnadze and members of the Parliament had to leave the building after clashes with opposition. Meanwhile an opposition rally of many thousands continued near the Parliament House demanding for resignation of Edward Shevardnadze. Power institutions did not resist to opposition's activity and provided actual support to participants.
Shevardnadze initially stated that the opposition conducted an armed coup d'etat. The Georgian President simultaneously stated he would not resign. Soon after, Shevardnadze declared state of emergency in the country. He noted he personally requested the Interior Minister to not use power against participants in the rally. However, he noted that he would not yield to ongoing developments and authors of events would be "arrested and punished".
Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov arrived in Tbilisi on Sunday. With mediation of Ivanov, the opposition leaders and Shevardnadze held a series of negotiations and Shevardnadze resigned.--0--
AZERBAIJAN'S REACTION UPON RESIGNATION OF SHEVARDNADZE
BAKU/24.11.03/TURAN: The authorities of Azerbaijan supported Edward Shevardnadze as the Head and legal President of Georgia. Ongoing developments are an interior affair of Georgia. We believe that the nation of Georgia will overcome every obstacle". Novruz Mamedov, head of foreign relations department of the President Administration of Azerbaijan, said this about yesterday's resignation of Georgian President Edward Shevardnadze in his interview with TURAN.
He said that Azerbaijani-Georgian relations would further develop as relations of friendly neighboring cuontries with common interests. "We consider there should be no obstacles", noted Mamedov. He said also that nothing may hinder the implementation of joint projects. "There will not be any obstacles for implementation of MEP Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, gas pipeline Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum", said Novruz Mamedov.
He believes that change of power in Georgia will not cause any problems for Azerbaijani population of Georgia. "I think that peace residence of Azeris in Georgia corresponds to the country's national interests", he said.
Leaders of opposition parties of Azerbaijan in turn welcomed change of power in Georgia, as a democratic success. Musavat leader Isa Gambar said he supported events in Georgia. "This is another step towards democracy and progress towards holding of democratic elections in the region", he said.
AMIP leader Etibar Mamedov said he supported events in Georgia and called them "an important step" that will affect democratic processes in the whole region. Both leaders said that support to Edward Shevardnadze by the authorities of Azerbaijan was "incorrect".--0--
USA RECOGNIZES NEW POWER IN GEORGIA, THAT CONFIRMS CONTINUATION OF PREVIOUS POLITICAL COURSE
TBILISI/24.11.03/TURAN: According to unconfirmed reports, Edward Shevardnadze left Georgia in his plane in unknown direction. Informative sources report that he left for Germnay, whose authoritites stated readiness to harbor former President of Georgia.
Washington in its turn recognized the new regime in Georgia. The US Department of State officially stated that Washington administration "is interested in interaction with Nino Burdjanadze in her efforts to preserve democracy in Georgia". Richard Boutcher, spokesman of the Secretary of State said that "the USA and world community were ready to support new leadership of Georgia in holding free and fair elections in future, as demanded by the Constitution". Colleen Powell, the US Secretary of State also expressed support and personally had a phone conversation with Burdjanadze.
New power in Georgia was not recognized by Adjaria. Its leader Aslan Abashidze said to journalists that opposition in Tbilisi threatened to Adjaria. Adjaria therefore closed border with Georgia and expects attacks by armed followers of the opposition.
Nino Burdjanadze, acting President of Georgia, said in her TV speech to the nation, that Georgia would continue its previous foreign political course for the purposes of integration into EuroAtlantic structures. At the same time, "the best should be done for Georgia to have normal relations with neighboring countries and Russia".
Meanwhile, press service of the Russian President reports that Vladimir Putin holds consultations with leaders of CIS countries on events in Georgia. --0--
CHANGE OF POWER IN GEORGIA DOES NOT AFFECT OPERATION OF GEORGIAN EMBASSY IN AZERBAIJAN
BAKU/24.11.03/TURAN: Latest events in Georgia and change of power in Tbilisi will by no means affect the traditionally friendly relations between Georgia and Azerbaijan, and implementation of common projects. This information was provided by an employee of Georgian Embassy in Baku, in his interview with TURAN.
He said the Embassy operates in normal regime and no instructions were received from Tbilisi.
Asked if the Embassy negotiated with the authorities of Azerbaijan in relation to latest events, the Georgian diplomat noted that close contacts with state authoritites were an everyday event.--0--
TRANSPORT COMMUNICATION BETWEEN GEORGIA AND AZERBAIJAN OPERATES IN NORMAL REGIME
BAKU/24.11.03/TURAN: Railroad communication between Azerbaijan and Georgia operates in regular working regime, press service of the State Railroad Administration of Azerbaijan, said in his interview with TURAN.
Shipment and deloading of freight cars by Georgia and passenger communication are on schedule.
Passenger flights on Baku-Tbilisi-Baku route are also on schedule. No changes were made to flights schedules on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Baku-Tbilisi flight today departed on time at 8 am.
Passengers buses depart from Baku International Bus Terminal on time also. Buses departed for Red Bridge and Tbilisi at 8 am, 9,40 am and 10.45 today. Next buses depart at 2 pm, 10 pm and at midnight.
Press service of the Communication Ministry reports no problems occurred in communication between the two states.--0--
TWO EMPLOYEES OF GEORGIAN INTERIOR MINISTRY ATTEMPT TO IMPORT POISONING GAS FOR DISPERSAL OF DEMONSTRATIONS FROM AZERBAIJAN
TBILISI/24.11.03/TURAN: Two employees of the Interior Ministry of Georgia, who attempted to import gas for dispersal of demonstrations from Azerbaijan, were detained on Sunday morning at the Rid Bridge linking Georgia and Azerbaijan.
Gas was found by Georgian borderguards in process of searching BMW motor car operated by two citizens of Georgia - interior ministry officers David Bezhuashvili and Georgy Getsadze. Two boxes with CS and Cheremucha gases were found in the car trunk, said Kornely Saliya, head of general border guarding headquarters of Georgia. He said the cargo was detained and criminal proceeding was instituted by the military prosecutor administration.
Sources in Interior Ministry of Azerbaijan told TURAN they did not have any information on the matter.--0--
--------------------------------------------------
To the President of
The United States of America
Mr. George Bush
From Azerbaijan Federation of Human Rights Organizations
Your Excellency!
We appeal to you as to the leader of the great country that declared
democratic values of freedom and human rights as the highest priority.
As it became known to us You invited the president of Azerbaijan Heydar
Aliyev for the meeting on February 26. As human rights activists and
citizens of independent Azerbaijan we appeal to you with the request to use
that meeting on the eve of presidential elections in Azerbaijan for the
welfare of the process of building of democracy in Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan has been independent republic for already 11 years however free
and democratic parliament, presidential or municipal elections were not held
at all in the republic. However, every time observers from the USA, while
stating about undemocratic character of the elections at the same time
recognized the results of those elections declaring them as "the next step
to the democracy". Thereby, every time the pre election campaign of the
ruling party that was accompanied by attack on democratic values, rude
violations of human rights and falsification of the will of citizens was
actually justified.
Since last autumn the new pre election campaign has been actually developed
with the demonstrative trials against political opponents with the
large-scale attack on the freedom of speech and press, propagandistic
attacks against opposition.
In this context we ask You to raise the most important for the fate of
democracy in Azerbaijan problems on the meeting with the president H.Aliyev.
Broad opportunities for the falsifications of elections are laid in the
project of the new Electoral Code;
Removal of the civil society from the observance for the elections and from
the participation in the working out of the new Electoral Code;
Impossibility to participate in the elections of opposition leaders who are
in the forced political emigration;
Use of the dependence of the courts from the executive power for the legal
punishment over the independent and opposition press;
The existence in country of hundreds of political prisoners the number of
which constantly enlarges at the expense of new arrests.
Adhering to Your position that the violations of human rights in
Azerbaijan can not be only our domestic affair we hope for Your
understanding and support.
Institute of Peace and Democracy
Leyla Yunus
Human Rights Center of Azerbaijan
Eldar Zeynalov
Zalikha Tagirova
Committee Protecting Rights of Oil Workers
Mirvary Gahramanli
Azerbaijan Foundation of Democracy and Human Rights Development
Murad Sadeddinov
Rena Najafzade
Center of Programs Development "El"
Elmira Alakbarova
-----------------------------------------------------------------
REFERENCE OF
Azerbaijan Federation of Human Rights Protecting Organizations
About violation of freedom of speech on the pattern of the situation with the newspaper “Yeni Musavat”
November-December 2002
After the abolition of censorship in Azerbaijan in 1998 the main pillar of pressure on the independent Mass Media became action at law from various state officials with the submission of demands about closing of newspapers, instituting of criminal persecuting against journalists, putting on them considerable sums of fines.
In the reference suggested to your attention we do not aim to make a full overview of the crying but isolated cases of the violation of freedom of speech, including kidnapping of journalist in Nakhchivan, beatings of journalists and making maiming on them, putting them under the custody. We consider it necessary to stop on the analysis of one formed and worked out mechanism of pressure on the press that one with the help of dependent courts.
If in democratic countries with the independent legal system based on the respect of the spirit and the letter of the law the legal suits against Mass Media are considered on the basis of the acting legislation and grounded legal sentences are passed in Azerbaijan legal verdicts are passed according to the instructions of the high post officials. This allows using courts as the main tool of suppressing of freedom of speech including even closing of independent and opposition newspapers.
The dependence of the court system of Azerbaijan from the executive power was repeatedly mentioned in the reports of the influential international organizations. In particular, in September 2002 the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe made a note of “the executive still exercises in Azerbaijan a predominant role. It expresses deep concern over the undue interference of the executive in the functioning of institutions. The Assembly particularly calls for a reinforcement of impartiality in the procedure of nomination of judges.”
General situation
Several legal processes were begun on the suits of the high state officials against opposition newspapers “Azadlig” and “Yeni Musavat” after carrying out of the presidential elections in October 1998. In the regard of those newspapers were used unthinkable for Azerbaijan financial sanctions (approximately $230,000). In 1999 the processes against journalists initiated mainly by governmental officials and they gained grander scale having achieved the number of 20. We know the results of 11 of them: in 3 cases Mass Media won the cases, but in 8 cases they failed. As a result of it the property of 3 Mass Medias is written off.
According to the data of ‘RUH’, the Azerbaijani Committee for Protection of Journalists 25 legal actions was brought against journalists and Mass Media during 2000. Mass Media were fined on the sum of 803,5 mln manats (of about $ 175, 000) when the total sum of the demanded suits from Mass Media made 4.488.500.000 manats (more than $980,000).
In 2001, according to the data of «RUH» there were considered at least 30 legal suits against 21 newspapers. The total sum of fines made 700 mln manats (of about $ 150, 000). 4 newspapers were closed (“Baku boulevard”,”Femida”, “Etimad”, “Milletin sesi”).
There is grounded opinion about incompleteness of this statistics. According to the poll that was carried out in 2001 by the Society for the Defense of Women’s Rights named after D.Aliyeva, Society for Humanitarian Research and Center for Education, democracy and development among journalists there are 17 Mass Media and during three years since the repeal of censorship 13 publications were exposed 84 times to the court examination. The verdicts of the courts referred to 48 employees in 78 cases. With it all the results of the courts were: apologies and refutation –12, monetary fine-10, instituting of criminal proceedings-11, closing of the publication-5. The authorities were trying to achieve the implementation of the decision of the court by the following ways: writing of the property off- 5 cases, writing of the property off and putting on it arrest-6, arrest of the bank account-6, forcible confiscation of money from the bank accounts - 4, notification about the decision passed – 7. The detriment with which the publication faced in the result of those actions was estimated as not insignificant – 3, palpable –3, serious – 8, no any material detriment – 3. The consequences to which brought implementation of the decision of the court: none – 4, the work of the editorial office is disorganized-9, editorial office experiences difficulties in: the carrying out its functions – 4, material – 8, technical – 3, personnel – 3. To the closing of the editorial office brought: the decision of the court - 5, efforts of the police –1, efforts of the executive bodies –1, financial crisis as the consequence of the arrest of the bank account- 1. The leader of one of the newspapers said that his publication was not exposed to the court examination during last three years but the authors of the research found out the decision of the court during that period of time. Many interrogated publications do not keep archive on their court cases others are convinced in the senselessness of keeping of those papers and they even do not go to receive the decisions of the court on their cases.
Campaign against newspaper «Yeni Musavat»
However, the campaign of the authorities against opposition newspaper “Yeni Musavat” is noted even on that dramatic background. 11 (eleven) legal suits were brought against that newspaper practically at the same time since November 4 till December 13 2002:
· 1.M. Beydullayev, deputy Minister of Defense applied to Sabail district court with the suit against editorial office, Rauf Arif ogli- editor in chief, Elshad Pashasoy and Sabir Turan - employees of the newspaper about insult of honor and dignity. He demands top fine the newspaper on the sum of 300 mln manats.
· 2.Nadir Nasibov, ex chairman of the Committee of State Property applied to the Sabail district court with the suit about closing of the newspaper “Yeni Musavat» for the period of 3 years and to call more than 10 employees of the newspaper to criminal account.
· 3.Barat Nuriyev ex deputy of the chairman of the Committee of State Property also applied to Sabail district court with the suit about closing of the newspaper “Yeni Musavat” for the period of three years and to call more than 10 employees of the newspaper to criminal account.
· 4.Yerdem Yunus Arif ogli, vice-president of the firm “Azersun Holding” applied to the Sabail district court with the suit about insult of honor and dignity and with the demand of apologies and calling Dunya Sakit and Atika Mamedova – employees and authors to the criminal account. 5. Yerdem Yunus Arif ogli, vice-president of the firm “Azersun Holding” applied to the Sabail district court with the second suit against editorial office of the newspaper “Yeni Musavat” about insult of honor and dignity. The plaintiff demanded fine in the amount of the record for the history of the country sum of 200 milliard manats for satisfying moral and material detriment. In spite of the fact that the plaintiff did not submit to the court any evidences the mentioned suit was passed in the execution.
· 6. Having not resting content with what has been achieved, Yerdem Yunus Arif ogli, vice-president of the firm “Azersun Holding” applied to the Sabail district court with the third suit against editorial office of the newspaper “yeni Musavat”about insult of honor and dignity. That time he demanded to fine the newspaper on the sum of 25 milliard manats.
· 7.Ahmedov Gyulguseyn Aliahmed ogli, the head of the executive power of Saatli city applied to the Sabail district court with the suit about insult of honor and dignity. The plaintiff demanded to fine the newspaper on the sum of 20 mln manats.
· 8.Agayev Abulfaz Yusif ogli, the head of the executive power of Sabirabad city applied to Sabail district court with the suit about insult of honor and dignity. The plaintiff demanded to fine the newspaper on the sum of 20 mln manats.
· 9. Captain Namig Mamedov-the officer of the military unit 130 of the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan Republic applied to Sabail district court with the suit about the spreading by the newspaper “Yeni Musavat” of the information insulting honor and dignity. The suit demanded to fine the newspaper on the sum of 50 mln manats and the author of the information that was given on press conference to 500 thousand manats.
· 10. Colonel Ramiz Melikov, head of the press service of the Ministry of the Defense applied to Sabail district court with the suit against newspaper “Yeni Musavat” and demanded to fine the newspaper on the sum of 100 mln manats and the author on the sum of 50 mln manats.
· 11. Akhmedov Gulguseyn, head of the executive power of Saatli city applied with the second suit against newspaper “Yeni Musavat” and author – Tahir Mamedov and demanded to close the newspaper for a period of one year. The court process will begin in early 2003.
The start for court sessions has been already given and they began with the same intensity as the bringing to the court of suits. Thus on December 9 Yasamal district satisfied the suit of Agayev and passed a sentence to fine the newspaper on the sum of 3 mln manats. On December 10 there began preparatory sessions on the suits of the company “Azersun” and captain military officer Namig Mamedov. Those court sessions will again begin on December 23 and 27.
As the analysis of the content and circumstances of application of the suits they all are united with the common idea:
1. According to the time the campaign of court suits against “Yeni Musavat” began after publication in the newspaper of the detailed material about court investigation in the USA on the suit of the businessman Kojeni against the family of the president of Azerbaijan –Heydar Aliyev.
2. In courts, in other cases suits against newspapers are not accepted at all or delaying that process for 6 months, accept immediately suits against “Yeni Musavat” and consider the cases in the condense periods of time.
3. According to the opinion of lawyers, those suits were passed by the courts with gross legal violations (in particular, of the article 149-152 of the Civil Legal Code of Azerbaijan Republic).
4. The suits that are accompanied by wide PR-campaign – the newspaper is branded in governmental press, rallies and pickets of the offended army officers are regularly held in front of editorial office.
«Yeni Musavat» as the target of the long term campaign of the authorities
For the completeness of the picture it is necessary to note that the campaign of persecutions of the newspaper began after boycotted by the position presidential elections in 1998. Before the elections the newspaper was actively observing the violations of the legislation about elections by the authorities. Particular impulse for the pursuits of the newspaper gave campaign of the parliamentary elections in 2000.
1999. January 3, Yalchin Imanov, journalists of the newspaper “Yeni Musavat” was beaten by the bodyguard of the executive power of Barda district and by the police officers. On June 30 chief of the department of that newspaper – Kamal Tagisa was kidnapped and beaten by unknown people who called themselves officers of the Ministry of National Security. That case caused indignation of the president Heydar Aliyev. He instructed to punish severely those who were guilty in that fact and he condemned all types of pressure on press. However nobody was punished.
December 12 during municipal elections journalists of the newspaper were exposed to physical and moral pressure on the part of the police. Journalists were driven out of the election stations; some of their photo and video cameras were broken.
2000. Elbey Gasanli, correspondent of the newspaper was kidnapped in Baku city with the participation of police officers of Sabail district and
