Representative of U.S. State Department called on Azerbaijani authorities to investigate all facts of pressure on journalists
"The legislative Internet restrictions by Azerbaijan, including criminal penalties for libels, are a further erosion of freedom of expression in a country where a few journalists and bloggers are arrested or sentenced to imprisonment," Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy and Human Rights Thomas Melia stated in Warsaw on September 25, the Azerbaijanii news agency "Turan" reports.
According to the agency, Melia addressed to the OSCE representatives and reminded that journalists like Khadija Ismayilova continue to be subjected to harassment and persecution. There are few more bloggers that are still in a similar situation.
"We urge the authorities to investigate all these facts, as well as the problems cropped up with the broadcast of Radio "Liberty" in Azerbaijan and other Azerbaijani media," Melia said.
The agency reminds that at the beginning of September, the authorities of Azerbaijan refused to receive the U.S. State Department delegation headed by Thomas Melia to Baku. Melia had sharply criticized Baku for violations of rights and freedoms of the citizens earlier.