Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 2
Trend:
The employee of the 'Azadliq' Radio Khadija Ismayilova was accused of concrete criminal acts unrelated to journalist activity, and during trial her guilt was fully proved and an appropriate decision was made, Azerbaijani president's aide for public and political affairs, Ali Hasanov told AzerTAg on Sept. 2.
He said the attempts of some international organizations, officials of various states, and some international human rights organizations to politicize the court's decision on Ismayilova are unacceptable.
Hasanov noted that Azerbaijani state takes consistent actions for further development of freedom of expression and information, and media independence.
"Today, hundreds of media outlets operate in the country quite freely and in safety conditions, journalists carry out their professional duties without any obstacles," said Hasanov. "Journalists aren't held accountable for professional activities in Azerbaijan, just like in the developed western countries."
"For this reason, we see unacceptable the attempts of some foreign circles to distort reality in Azerbaijan, unreasonably combining individual situations, to harm the country's democratic image, and we call on them to refrain from such an approach," said Ali Hasanov.
The Baku Court of Grave Crimes sentenced Khadija Ismayilova to 7.5 years in prison on Sept. 1.
Ismayilova was charged under the articles 179.3.2 (large-scale misappropriation and embezzlement), 192.2.2 (illegal entrepreneurship), 213.1 (tax evasion) and 308.2 (abuse of official duties) under the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan.