(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Minister of Justice Fikrat Mammodov, RSF protested the 4 September 2001 closure of the independent newspaper “Baku Boulevard” by the Nizami Regional Court. “We remind you that since January 2001, Azerbaijan is a member of the Council of Europe. To order a newspaperâs closure for âdefamationâ is a disproportionate […]
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Minister of Justice Fikrat Mammodov, RSF protested the 4 September 2001 closure of the independent newspaper “Baku Boulevard” by the Nizami Regional Court.
“We remind you that since January 2001, Azerbaijan is a member of the Council of Europe. To order a newspaperâs closure for âdefamationâ is a disproportionate penalty that is contrary to European standards,” said Robert Ménard, the organisationâs secretary-general. “We urge the court to rescind this decision,” added Ménard.
According to information collected by RSF, on 4 September, the Nizami Regional Court ordered the closure of the independent newspaper “Baku Boulevard” following the lodging of a complaint by Baku Mayor Hajibala Abutalibov. The mayor claims he was vilified in a 16 June article titled “The State Racket”. The court also sentenced editor-in-chief Elmar Huseynov to pay eighty million manats (approx. US$17,400; 17,000 euros) in damages to the Baku mayor. The fine conflicts with the media law, since it represents more than three times the newspaperâs monthly expenses. The press was barred from attending the hearing. Huseynov believes that “the unfolding of the trial and its results leave no doubt as to the political nature of the courtâs decision.” The newspaper “Baku Boulevard” is known for its critical tone towards President Heydar Aliyevâs regime.
