Ali Gasanov: authorities of Azerbaijan are against impingement of freedom of speech

Human rights activists and lawyers consider that violence applied to Nidzhat Daglar, correspondent of the "Azadlyg" newspaper, was a continuation of the violence campaign of the authorities towards the press, as well as a result of impunity for previous crimes. In their turn, the authorities reject their involvement in these attacks on journalists.

"Any offence in relation to journalists is estimated by the authorities as an attack on the powers themselves, on the principles of state order and freedoms of speech and press," Ali Gasanov, head of the public-political department of the president's administration, has declared in his comment to yesterday's attack on Nidzhat Daglar, correspondent of the "Azadlyg" newspaper, and Ali Orudzhev, press secretary of the PNIA Party. The police are investigating into these facts, Mr. Gasanov said.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported earlier that on December 25, in Baku, capital of Azerbaijan, Nidzhat Daglar, reporter of the "Azadlyg" newspaper, and Ali Orudzhev, press secretary of the Party of National Independence of Azerbaijan (PNIA), were attacked and cruelly beaten.