Top Azerbaijani official talks detainment of foreign media reps

Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 21

Trend:

Azerbaijani president's aide for public and political affairs, Ali Hasanov spoke on the detainment of employees of some foreign media outlets by local law enforcement authorities in recent days, AzerTag reported Sept. 21.

Hasanov said the work of the media representatives in Azerbaijan, just as in every country, is regulated in line with requirements of the corresponding legislation.

"The country's legislation gives a full guarantee for ensuring the freedom of speech and information, the independent work of the media outlets' editorial offices and journalists, and their right for freely accessing information and spreading it," said Hasanov.

Along with that, he said, both the local journalists, and the foreign media representatives in Azerbaijan and the journalists representing the foreign media in the country, should build their work within the framework of laws, deeply realize the responsibility to the country and the public, and avoid illegal actions.

Azerbaijani president's aide also recalled that the "Rules of accreditation of foreign mass media in Azerbaijan" were approved March 18, 2015.

The top official said that even a relevant section has been created on the website of Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry for online accreditation of foreign media outlets, their representative offices and employees in the country.

Hasanov expressed regret that despite the repeated warnings, Interaz, Euroaz TV channels, the Voice of America radio, Meydan TV website and several other foreign media outlets and their employees still do not comply with the relevant rules and carry out illegal activities in the country.

The purpose of detaining the employees of some foreign media outlets by the law enforcement agencies in recent days is to urge them to carry out their activities in accordance with the "Rules of accreditation of the representatives of foreign mass media in the Republic of Azerbaijan", said the president's aide.

Ali Hasanov noted that the relevant authorities will continue to take measures against each person who violates the requirements of Azerbaijani law, regardless of the scope of activities and the position they occupy.