US State Department: We Urge Azerbaijan to Cease Harassment Against Independent Media

• 05.01.2015, 12:25
•  Region,  World

The US considers that the Azerbaijani authorities do not carry out their commitments in the spheres of civil rights and liberties, especially freedom of expression and more than 12 journalists and bloggers were unjustly arrested, TASS reports.

This was declared by the US State Department spokeswoman Marry Harf. "In Azerbaijan 12 journalists and bloggers are arrested with State order. Gilal Mammedov is among them, who has been arrested since 2013," – Harf said.

"We call for the immediate release of Mammadov, as well as other journalists and bloggers, who are in jail only because they take advantage of their right to freedom of expression. We urge Azerbaijan to cease such harassment and other forms of harassment against independent media and freedom of expression in performing their duties," – the US State Department spokeswoman said.