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The assertions that bloggers are not journalists and their arrests cannot be considered violation of freedom of expression are groundless, independent lawyer Erkin Gadirli and blogger Ali Novruzov told Obyektivtv.

Note that the day before, head of the Social and Political Department at the Azerbaijani President's Administration Ali Hasanov commenting upon international community’s appeal to release Emin Milli and Adnan Gajizade declared that bloggers are not journalists and the scandal over their arrest is ungrounded.

Gadirli said that Azerbaijan’s legislation does not give a definition to the notion “journalist,” therefore Hasanov’s official statement is unfounded.

The lawyer mentioned that Azerbaijani legislation does not, either, give a definition to the word “blogger.” Blogger activities are regulated by the general guarantees of freedom of expression,
stipulated by the Civil Code.

Any actions of journalists and bloggers in the sphere of freedom of expression should be protected, blogger Novruzov stressed.