Your trusted source

The Executive Committee of the Russian PEN Center declined the invitation to the International Book Forum and Literary Festival in Azerbaijan which was to be held on May 3-5, 2013, Penrussia.org reports.

"International PEN is a community of writers formed in the name of freedom of expression, freedom of thoughts and opinions. Meanwhile, in Azerbaijan do not stop the persecution of the famous writer Akram Aylisli who dared to express his own opinions about the events of the late 80-ies of XX century in his novel "Stone dreams" do not stop. Akram Aylisli is deprived of awards, honors, pension. His very name is surrounded by an atmosphere of libel and slander! " PEN's response to invitation of Azerbaijan reads.

The statement noted that the Russian PEN thus expresses its protest against the persecution of the writer. "We want to repeat once again: threats and unfounded allegations against Akram Aylisli must be stopped!" stated the executive committee of the Russian PEN Center.

Ekrem Eylisli is national writer (since 1998) and Honored Artist of Azerbaijan, holder of the highest order of Azerbaijan “Istiglal” (2002) and the order of “Shokhrat” for his outstanding merits in the literature of Azerbaijan. Recently, on the website of Russian magazine “Friendship of Nations” was published his novel titled “Stone Dreams” in which the author describes the massacres of Armenians in Baku in 1990 and in Nakhichevan in 1919. The author in his novel speaks positively about the Armenian people and their culture. The novel “Stone Dreams” also contains criticism over the former Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev and the tyranny of the system created by him.

After publication of the novel, Eylisli was exposed to severe pressures in Azerbaijan; the pro-governmental youth held rally in front of his house, his issue was discussed in the parliament of Azerbaijan, MPs suggested to burn his books and to deprive him of citizenship and deport from Azerbaijan. Many people “blamed” Eylisli in his Armenian origin, etc. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev deprived him of personal pension and the title of National Writer, and accused him of “purposefully distorting the history of Azerbaijan” and “in distorting realities about history of Azerbaijan in an inappropriate way.”

The leader of the pro-governmental party ”Modern Musavat” Hafis Hajiyev announced that he would pay about 10 Euros to the one who will cut the ear of the writer. Only after the intervention of the media, the politician was “warned” by the Interior Ministry of Azerbaijan about the illegality of such appeals.

The U.S. Department of State and the OSCE Office in Baku condemned persecution of Eylisli in Azerbaijan and called on the authorities to fulfill their obligations.