Azerbaijan, Baku, 3 September / Trend corr. I.Alizade/ Azerbaijani police will provide all conditions for journalists' activities.
"Even if journalists are doing their job, collecting reports at unauthorized actions, police do not have the authority to impede them," Deputy Interior Minister Oruj Zalov said at the presentation ceremony of special vests for media on 3 September, organized by the OSCE Baku Office.
According to Zalov, no one can impede journalists to carry out their work and particularly to apply force towards them.
"Police applied force towards journalists not deliberately. But in some cases during unauthorized actions it is impossible to distinguish between media representatives and demonstrators. So, journalists are sometimes taken to police offices as demonstrators. After clarification of the situation they are usually released," he said.
Zalov said that during fulfilment of official duties journalists must visually stand out against the background of others.
"Interior Ministry urges media representatives to use special distinguishing wear during unauthorized actions. The vests will be useful," said Zalov.
According to Deputy Minister, police officers who deliberately apply force towards journalists even in especially difficult situations will be strictly punished by the administration of the Ministry.
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