Azerbaijan, Baku, 9 July / Trend , corr E. Babayev/ OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) has not stated that the presidential elections in Azerbaijan would not be democratic if the imprisoned journalists are not released. "I do not know anything about such statement," Hose Luis Herrero, head of OSCE Baku Office said to media on 9 July.
There are 3 imprisoned journalists in Azerbaijan. Eynulla Fatullayev, editor-in-chief of the Gundalik Azerbaijan and Realniy Azerbaijan newspapers was sentenced to eight years and six months in prison by the decision of the Heinous Crimes Court on 30 October. Fatullayev is charged with violating Articles 214.1 (terrorism), 283.2.2 (hostility) and 213.2.2 (tax evasion) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan. Fatullayev allegedly did not pay tax in the amount of AZN 242,522.
The editor-in-chief of Azadlig daily Ganimat Zahid has been sentenced to 4 years of jail and he is charged with inflicting harm to health and hooliganism. The writer for Azadlig daily Mirza Sakit has also been imprisoned.
Herrero said that OSCE is willing to contribute to the presidential election to be held in Azerbaijan in October. "We focus on 3 issues about elections. The first is the equal distribution of the administrative resources. The second is providing equal opportunities for all candidates. The third is the consideration of democratic principles during both voting and counting votes," he said. OSCE believes in the ways of resolution of problems in this sphere, he added.
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