Media Rights Institute condemns arrest of "Yeni Musavat" editor-in-chief

The information and analytical Internet agency "Caucasian Knot" publishes the statement of Internews' Media Rights Institute on the arrest of "Yeni Musavat" editor-in-chief Rauf Arifoglu.

Internews? Media Rights Institute is extremely concerned about the October 27 arrest of Rauf Arifoglu, editor-in-chief of the leading opposition newspaper "Yeni Musavat". The Media Rights Institute calls on the relevant government agencies to respect the rights of the journalists in this country.

Rauf Arifoglu is known as one of the most fervent critics of the Azeri government. In light of his position and activities, it is very difficult to interpret his arrest unambiguously. It may be that the main reason for his arrest was to silence another strong critic of the Azeri government.

Until the accusations drawn against Arifoglu are fully investigated, the law enforcement agencies opted to put him to jail, which is both illegal and illogical. It also raises concerns that the government simply wanted to scare those who are still criticizing their policies.

There were several attempts to arrest Arifoglu in the past. Arifoglu, who always said that such arrests were carried out dishonestly, violently and inhumanely, received asylum in the Norwegian Embassy in Baku. Only after the Norwegian Ambassador spoke to the Minister of Interior, the latter guaranteed that Arifoglu would not be illegally arrested.

"Yeni Musavat" is now subject to repressions and so-called "measures" by the law enforcement and state agencies. It is very disturbing, that since the presidential elections on October 15, the employees of Yeni Musavat can no longer come to work because the office is closed and many of them have to use offices of the other newspapers.

Six journalists of "Yeni Musavat" have been imprisoned and two remain in jail so far. Some of "Yeni Musavat"'s journalists who came to observe the riots on October 16 were subjected to physical violence and insults.

Since October 17, "Azerbaijan", the state-run printing house, has refused to publish "Yeni Musavat", stating that the newspaper management was among the organizers of mass protests on October 16. Unfortunately, such illegal actions are carried out by the Azeri government structures, which should, theoretically, protect the freedom of speech in this country.

Internews? Media Rights Institute demands that all state agencies and officials respect the rule of law.

The Media Rights Institute believes that Azerbaijan is committed to democratic values and rule and order. Every step against the freedom of press will add on to the further exclusion of Azerbaijan from the ranks of the world?s democratic countries.

Internews is an international media development organization working in more than 30 countries worldwide. Internews? work in Azerbaijan is made possible mainly through the support of the United States Agency for International Development.