Azerbaijan, Baku / corr Trend S.Ilhamgizi / Ramiz Mehdiyev, Head-of-Staff of the President's Executive Power, stated in talks with journalists on 27 June that the issue on pardoning the arrested journalists is in the Head of State's competence and the President will pardon them if he considers it necessary.
"I don't know who can pardon the journalists. I personally cannot undertake such responsibility. This issue is part of the President's authority," Mehdiyev stressed.
While Editors-in-Chief, heads of NGOs and political parties appealed to the European Union (EU) in connection with the application of sanctions and the written pledges by state employees undergoing investigation who vowed not to leave the country, the Head-of-Staff of the President's Executive Power faces these accusations with indignation. "If these journalists support democracy, this initiative actually contradicts the democratic principles. If they have grounded claims, let them appeal to relevant state bodies, where they can duly receive replies to their questions of concern. On the other hand some non-constructive forces are making journalists take such steps," Mehdiyev empathized.
"Such appeals to international organizations do not glorify our country, Mehdiyev noted. He recommended following the example of neighboring countries. "See how the journalists in Azerbaijan support their national interests. Unfortunately, we cannot see either patriotism, or love for the Motherland in some media representatives' actions, what we see are non-constructive forces," he stressed.
Speaking on the recent conference of journalists held at the initiative of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party, Mehdiyev said that the event focused on exchanging opinions on important and constructive issues. Unfortunately, we could not form a democratic press, which does not depend only on the Government," he added.
In contradiction to official bodies, some radically-spirited opposition bodies publish articles offending human dignity and honor.
