Azerbaijani authorities banish one more international organization – ‘‘Open Society’’ Institute
The "Open Society" Institute office in Baku is closed. It was included in the network of the fund of the billionaire George Soros, the website “Qafqazinfo” reports with reference to Elchin Sadigov, the lawyer whose task was to resolve the abolition issues of the office.
According to him, the decision to abolish the office was adopted on 10 December. As the lawyer says, the office of the Institute in Baku is already vacated, and the employees are fired.
Headquarter of the "Open Society" Institute is located in New York. It is a private fund which provides grants and serves the network of Soros foundations.
Yesterday, the Baku office of Azerbaijani independent online TV channel “Meydan TV” was closed too. The given reason is "stifling free speech and expression in Azerbaijan, pressure on independent media. “Meydan TV” stated that this step is to ensure the safety of its employees," the statement read.
At the same time it turned out that American organization Peace Corps has terminated its activities in Azerbaijan. Derek Hogan, the US chargé d'affaires in Azerbaijan, stated that after working for 11 years in Azerbaijan, the Government of the country stated that it sees no necessity for the organization to act in the country.