Azerbaijan, Baku / corr Trend A.Ismayilova / Denis Bribosia, the Council of Europe (CE) special representative in Azerbaijan, stated in talks with Trend on 11 May that on the eve of the elections in Azerbaijan the issue of freedom of expression is an essential issue and closer attention should be paid to this matter.
He noted the appearance of a tendency in Azerbaijan linked with court trials, with an impact on the expression of viewpoints by journalists. He also noted the CE Secretary General, who has recently came out with a statement on the situation of media in Azerbaijan, is also dissatisfied with this situation.
The diplomat said that the international organizations, including the Council of Europe, stated that people in Azerbaijan are highly intellectual, able to understand the freedom of expression and media, to hold dialogue and exchange of opinions, as well as eliminate any difficulty without appealing to courts.