Your trusted source

Radio "Liberty" commented on the statements by the ruling party "Yeni Azerbaijan" and the Central Election Commission of Azerbaijan for allegedly violating the rules of campaigning by the Azerbaijani Service of Radio, the Azerbaijani information agency Turan reports.

The radio station’s commentary said that these are classic scare tactics that the ruling party is using to try to intimidate the independent press and to control coverage of the elections.

“We stand by all of our coverage, which is balanced, fair and professional. These are absurd accusations that have no basis, and conform to no international law,” the comment reads.

Radio "Liberty" will take these accusations to the OSCE Observation Mission for its consideration.

An authorized representative of the party "Yeni Azerbaijan", Ali Akhmedov sent a letter to the CEC, which stated that the Azerbaijani service of Radio "Liberty" is illegally campaigning in the interests of one of the candidates. Earlier, as the "Trend" agency reports, chairman of CASCFEN Azer Hasret had stated that "Radio Liberty" and "Voice of America" are involved in the campaign of Jamil Hasanly, candidate of oppositionist party National Council of Azerbaijan.

"The observations show that the radio "Liberty" in the framework of the agitation campaign had broadcast the National Council’s meeting from the beginning up to the end on September 22,” noted Hasret.

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. Historian Jamil Hasanli has been chosen as the oppositionist presidential candidate by the oppositionist party of National Council of democratic forces.