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In Azerbaijani TV channel Ictimai held a so-called public discussion about the novel of Ekrem Eylisli "Stone Dreams" about the massacre of Armenians in Azerbaijan. During the program a group of public and political figures did not stop to attack the author, who came to the studio to defend its position alone.

"I wrote about Eylis what I saw with my own eyes," said the author, and noted that everything described in the novel was the true. Writer Elchin Mirzabeyli commenting this statement, said that Eylisli grists to the mill of the enemy, describing the Armenian massacre in Baku, hoping for recognition in Europe.

Answering the question of MP Zahid Oruj about whether the author considers Karabakh, Nakhichevan and Eylis Azerbaijani lands Ekrem Eylisli answered, that no nation in the world lives in the lands where it has been formed, and the novel was written to show that the Azerbaijani and Armenians have lived in the neighborhood for centuries. “Every day you defame the Armenians, how are you going to live with them side by side?" asks Eylisli.

Deputy Faraj Guliyev noted that there are no ordinary or non-ordinary Armenians, all are the same. “We always have to talk badly about all Armenians. All the Armenians should be expelled from our lands, while you are talking about living together, in the same time harming our state policy,” the Azerbaijani deputy noticed.

“I am 75-year old writer and have no wish to prove you how and what I should write. We live in a country where the Constitution provides freedom of speech to every citizen,” said Eylisli.

Turan agency touched upon the TV debate’s subject and noted that judges" for Eylisli were notable. “MP Zahid Orudj whose victory in the 2005 elections to the European Court of Human Rights found grossly falsified, and the Government paid the real winner Nemat Aliyev compensation. That is, Orudj, without shame, carries in his pocket a mandate received in the result of falsifications,” the site notes.

Another “judge” Elchin Mirzabeyli dramatically changed his political orientation at least for five times. He was a staunch member of the opposition, and then defended the government for several times. Leading Public TV Anar Yusifoghlu publicly said few years ago that they have a “black” list of people on their channel that they are not allowed to invite.

"These “debates” strongly smack of our Soviet past. And, not as soft and calm as it was during Brezhnev stagnation, but just as it was in Stalin times. Unfortunately, without a victory of the Great Patriotic War. But, in the same time, fortunately, without mass shootings, limited to "public debate" and "national condemnation." Eylisli, however, approaches adequately. We see that this is really his disposition,” the article reads.

In an interview with "Voice of Russia" Eylisli said he did not expect the he will be deprived of all ranks, orders and it depresses him. “The persecution of the writer for such a novel is an abnormal phenomenon. Our ordinary citizens say that we can live together with the Armenians. While the authorities propagate hatred," states Eylisli.