AZERBAIJAN: TIGHTENING DOWN ON THE INDEPENDENT PRESS IN VIEW OF THE 2008 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
Felice Di Leo
Equilibri.net (subscription), Italy
May 30 2007
Last week, after a search by the judicial authorities who acted on
orders from the Ministry for National Security, the offices and
equipment of two newspapers close to the opposition to President
Aliyev were seized. Officially the actions of the authorities were
connected to security concerns, the two offices did not guarantee
the minimum safety conditions. It is not the first measure of Baku’s
authorities against Realny Azerbaijan, published in Russian, and of
the Gyundelik Azerbaycan. The founder of the pro Russian newspaper,
Eynulla Fatullayev, is currently in prison serving 30 months for
slandering the army. He has to answer to accusations of terrorism
and of the diffusion of false news during the six year war between
Azerbaijan and Armenia for the Nagorno Karabah. Currently there are
at least 17 Azerbaijani journalists in prison, the highest number
amongst OSCE member countries. On the 16th of May the editor and a
journalist of Makhalifat were condemned to 30 months for publishing
an article about the economical activities of an uncle of Aliyev,
while a further two journalists were condemned for slandering Islam
and Mohammed in an article. Not only the printed press is in the sights
of Baku’s Government. Last November the ANS TV network’s transmissions
were blocked. ANS TV is an independent television channel representing
an alternative to the official radio and television stations ruled
directly by the Government. Over the coming months Government pressure
on the media will probably increase, especially in relation to the
imminent presidential elections of 2008. The repressive measures are
also directed towards newspapers of low circulation; in Azerbaijan only
3% of the population reads a newspaper on a daily basis. Aliyev aims
to eliminate any obstacle to his expected reconfirmation. During the
last presidential elections the President obtained 78% of the vote,
the elections were characterised by numerous accusations of fraud
and moments of violence. The opposition is scattered and unable
to provide an alternative. Aliyev could become another "lifelong"
President of the Caucasus region.
ly_Analysis__21_2007