23 March 2016, 18:30
Isolda Agaeva illegally banned to leave Azerbaijan, her advocate asserts
The ban on leaving Azerbaijan imposed on journalist Isolda Agaeva violates the freedom of movement guaranteed by the Constitution, states her advocate Yalchin Imanov. He intends to go to court.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on March 21, the Border Guard Service of Azerbaijan not let Isolda Agaeva, a freelance journalist, leave the country. The reason for the ban was not explained to the journalist; however, Isolda Agaeva associates the ban with her professional activities and cooperation with the "Meydan TV" TV Channel.
According to the advocate, the Criminal Procedure Code provides that the ban on leaving the country can be imposed on a defendant or a suspect. Meanwhile, Isolda Agaeva is neither a defendant nor a suspect.
In 2013, the "Meydan TV" TV Channel was created by blogger Emin Milli, a former political prisoner, with the financial support of the European Endowment for Democracy (EED). In December 2014, the "Meydan TV" TV Channel closed its office in Baku for safety of its employees.
According to the advocate, Isolda Agaeva has the right to file a civil claim and demand compensation for moral damage.
During the past two years, the authorities often use the ban on leaving the country against undesirable journalists and activists, states Oktai Gyulyalyev, the leader of the alliance "Azerbaijan without Political Prisoners".
According to Oktai Gyulyalyev, the "Meydan TV" Channel is one of several media, which are not afraid to speak the truth and which publishes anti-corruption investigations."
Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.
Author: Faik Medzhid Source: CK correspondent
