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Radio Liberty should continue its operation – US ambassador

Society Materials 14 March 2015 17:57 (UTC +04:00)
The Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL Inc) should continue its operation in accordance with all journalistic standards, the US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Robert Cekuta told reporters on Mar.14.
Radio Liberty should continue its operation – US ambassador

Baku, Azerbaijan, March 14

By Anakhanum Khidayatova - Trend:

The Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL Inc) should continue its operation in accordance with the highest standarts of journalism, the US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Robert Cekuta told reporters on Mar.14.

He was commenting on the meetings held in Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Taxes. However, the diplomat didn't specify the details of the held discussions.
It should be noted that Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov received a delegation led by Cekuta on Mar.13, the country's Foreign Ministry earlier said.
The delegation also included Deputy Director of the International Broadcasting Bureau of the Broadcasting Board of Governors Jeffrey Trimble and Vice-President of Finance of Radio Liberty John Giambalvo.

During the meeting, the sides discussed the aspects of the bilateral cooperation between Azerbaijan and the US, as well as the issues related to the activities of the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

Previously, Azerbaijani Prosecutor's Office said that it has received information from the relevant state body about the suspicious banking transactions of the Baku Bureau of the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

Azerbaijani Prosecutor's Office said that over $3.55 million Azerbaijani manats were transferred to the Azerbaijani government from the main office of RFE/RL Inc from Jan.1, 2010 to Dec.9, 2014.

The financial manager (legal representative) of the RFE/RL Inc's Baku Bureau Yahya Mirzayev cashed 189,100 manats of this amount as the advance holder and legalized for spending for various purposes, according to the Prosecutor General's Office.

In connection with the suspicious banking operations, under the decision of the Nasimi District Court dated Dec.27, 2014, a revision was organized by the specialists of the Ministry of Taxes to check the compliance of the banking operations of RFE/RL Inc Baku Bureau, as well as the individuals cooperating with them and the expenditure of funds and other revenues with the tax law requirements.

Moreover, in accordance with the same decision, the operations of RFE/RL Inc Baku Bureau on bank accounts in the International Bank of Azerbaijan JSC were also temporarily suspended.

The preliminary results of the revision gave reason to presume tax evasion.
Currently, the Investigation Department for Grave Crimes of the Prosecutor General's Office continues preliminary investigative activities on this criminal case.

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