Jamil Hasanli: Azerbaijani authorities use foreign experts to spy on oppositionists in Internet
The Azerbaijani authorities use new information technologies and foreign experts to spy on the oppositionists, stated Jamil Hasanli the joint candidate of the National Council of Democratic Forces (NCDF) at a press conference, the Azeri news agency "Turan" informs.
According to him, the experts who sit in different rooms of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan monitor in social networks profiles and e-mails of the youth and the political activists through new foreign technologies.
"The young people and their family members are harassed for the status written by them. By the order of the presidential administration, parents and other family members of the activists are being dismissed of their jobs. They take from them away the commercial sites; sometimes they are even subjected to criminal prosecution," says Hasanli.
The joint candidate turned also to the topic of political prisoners in Azerbaijan and noted that they are getting younger in inverse to the ratio of adult population. Referring to the scandal that occurred during the TV live debate between the presidential candidates on OTV, Hasanli noted that the Azerbaijani authorities are in such a poor condition that they cannot bear even the six-minute speech of their opponent.
Jamil Hasanli said the incident that occurred on the air of PTV was expected: "Some presidential candidates are part of destructive activities of the authorities. The strategy is to always keep the real opposition in a target, and to conceal the real situation from the voters."
He also stated that the format of round-table debates was wrong. According to the agency, he had told this also at the meeting with the OSCE observers’ mission. According to him, those who ordered not to admit Ilgar Mamedov, the leader of “REAL” movement, to run for presidential elections, as well as prevented registration of Hafiz Hajiyev as a presidential candidate sit in the presidential administration of Azerbaijan.
“We know exactly in which rooms sit these customers. Incidentally, there was no consensus on Hafiz Hajiyev’s nomination," said Jamil Hasanli. In his opinion, the fact that NCDF proposed his new candidate ruined the political strategy of the government and its supporters.
According to him, if there was an independent TV in Azerbaijan which spread propaganda during a whole month, the current regime would have collapsed: "It is anti-national rotten regime. This regime makes profit even on tragedy of the people." According Hasanli, the current regime wants to turn Azerbaijan into North Korea.
The joint candidate from National Council called the ruling party "Yeni Azerbaijan" an anti-national party. At the press conference, he stated that the ruling party adhered communistic management method and leads the country to a single party way of ruling. This party has no place in society. This party will fall apart as soon as the current government leaves," Hasanli believes.
According to him, at present, the struggle is not between the authorities and the opposition, but the national and anti-national forces. "This regime condemns people to bribes before their birth. Even when dying people give bribe for having a place in the cemetery," Hasanli said.
The presidential elections in Azerbaijan are scheduled on 9 October 2013. The previous presidential elections were held on 15 October 2008. The incumbent president Ilham Aliyev is on this position for two terms already - since 2003. In March 2009 a referendum on making amendments to the Constitution was held in Azerbaijan, which repealed the restriction on one person remaining in office for more than two consecutive terms. The Venice Commission of the Council of Europe stated in this regard, "Giving one person the right to be repeatedly elected to the presidency is seen as a step backwards in the development of democracy."