OSCE Representative on Media Freedom calls on Baku to stop harassing journalists

Harlem Désir, the OSCE Representative on Media Freedom, has called on the Azerbaijani authorities to reconsider the verdict to Aziz Orudjev, the executive director of the "Kanal-13" TV Channel.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Aziz Orudjev, the "Kanal-13" TV Channel, was accused of illegal entrepreneurship and abuse of power. He pleaded not guilty. The Azerbaijani Centre for the Protection of Political Prisoners included his name in the list of the persons prosecuted for political reasons. On December 15, the court sentenced Aziz Orudjev to six years of imprisonment.

On December 18, the statement voiced by Harlem Désir, the OSCE Representative on Media Freedom, was published on the OSCE's website, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

"I call on the authorities to review Aziz Orudjev's verdict and to end restrictive measures detrimental to his freedom and safety," Harlem Désir said in his statement.

Harlem Désir has also called on the Azerbaijani authorities to stop encroaching on the freedom and security of all journalists from independent media.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.