Your trusted source

Two French journalists from French Premieres Lignes producing company were detained when leaving Baku airport for Paris, the Russian service of BBC reports.

Benoit Bringer, the colleague of the detained journalists, told the BBC that all their records were seized, and only after that they were allowed to pass the gate.

According to the article, the journalists had arrived in Baku on the eve of the planned visit of the President Francois Hollande to Azerbaijan. They worked on the materials concerning the human rights and economic situation in the country.

BBC notes that the detention of journalists occurred on the same day, when Azerbaijan officially assumed the chairmanship in the Cabinet of Ministers at the Council of Europe.

At the same time, the Azerbaijani news agency "Turan" notes that in Baku airport 15 people were detained during the departure.

Surveying equipment and supplies as well as memory cards were seized from the two French journalists. After that, they were forcibly put on a plane. "They did not want to go back without materials. However, they were forcibly put on a plane and sent to France," Bringer said.

The colleague of the detained journalists Benoit Bringer does not understand the reasons for the exemption of the materials. "There can be only one reason - perhaps it is due to the reluctance of demonstrating the recordings and interviews. That's how they prevented it," said Bringer.

He added that journalists, covering the visit of French President in Baku, also wanted to show the human rights situation in Azerbaijan and the development of economic ties.

"It is strange that it happened on the day when Azerbaijan assumed the chairmanship at the Council of Europe. If they hinder covering the situation in the country in this way, then it is clear what the real situation in connection with the human rights and press freedom is in the country. This is very bad for the image of the country," said Bringer.

He said that the Foreign Ministry of France, the French Embassy and other relevant structures are informed about this situation, the organization "Reporters without Borders" and the TV Comapny expect their reactions.