(IRFS/IFEX) – According to the http://www.ria.az website, on 15 October 2008, at approximately 4 p.m. (local time), two unknown people threatened Reporter Information Agency (RIA) photojournalist Ulviyya Akhundova. “The journalist was told to cease the activities of the agency, or else she will encounter problems,” reported ria.az. “The people who introduced themselves as police alleged […]
(IRFS/IFEX) – According to the http://www.ria.az website, on 15 October 2008, at approximately 4 p.m. (local time), two unknown people threatened Reporter Information Agency (RIA) photojournalist Ulviyya Akhundova.
“The journalist was told to cease the activities of the agency, or else she will encounter problems,” reported ria.az. “The people who introduced themselves as police alleged that they had information that the activities of the agency are illegal. One of them attempted to take our employee’s document, however, the other person prevented this. ‘Remember you are talking to a journalist, be a little polite,’ said the person as he spoke to his colleague. Using this opportunity, our employee was able to run away.”
RIA founder Zulfugar Khayirkhabarov said that the activities of RIA are completely legal and on 2 May the agency was registered in the Tax Ministry’s Legal Entities Department as a Limited Liability Company through the “One Window” system. The agency provides (information about its activities in a timely manner to the tax authorities.
“RIA interprets this incident as pressure on the independent press and freedom of expression, an attempt to violate stability during the election period and hooliganism,” said ria.az. “RIA demands that law enforcement agencies investigate this incident, find the people responsible and bring them to responsibility.”
RIA has already appealed to the Ministry of Interior about the incident.
