14 June 2019, 21:39
Azerbaijan: MPH head recalls lawsuit against journalist
Ogtai Shiraliev, the head of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Public Health (MPH) has given up his lawsuit against the journalist, Teimur Kerimov. The journalist believes that public opinion has affected this decision.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on May 18, 2019, Kerimov was detained during his protest action rally outside the Azerbaijani MPH. He protested against the paid treatment of his seriously ill mother. The Minister Shiraliev accused the journalist of slander and insult.
Kerimov believes that the "negative public resonance" has affected the minister's decision to recall the lawsuit.
"Attempts to persecute me for criticizing the country's health sector caused outrage in society. Dozens of people came to court to confirm facts of extortions by doctors, the deficit of free medicines, and the high cost of paid medical services. This topic was actively discussed on the Internet," said Kerimov.
He said that his mother passed away on June 7. "My mother's suffering could have been alleviated, if she had received high-quality treatment," Mr Kerimov has noted.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on June 14, 2019 at 04:44 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Author: Faik Medjid Source: CK correspondent
