12:46, 30 May 2007

Another opposition paper stopped in Azerbaijan

Today, the last issue of the "Baky Khabar" newspaper has appeared in Azerbaijan: its publication will be suspended for indefinite time, editor-in-chief Aidyn Guliev said to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Mr. Guliev has explained the decision not by financial difficulties only. He thinks that the authorities are giving no chance for normal mass media operation and exert endless pressure on them.

The editor has noted that on May 18 the judicial bodies actually arrested the financial accounts of the "Baky Khabar." The motivation was the suit of an entrepreneur from the Udzhar District against a newspaper article filed back in 2005. Last December, the Sabail District Court satisfied the claim, and fined the newspaper by 4000 manats (about 6000 US dollars).

Under the court's ruling the sum should have been paid in instalments. However in February 2007, the entrepreneur suddenly lodged an appeal demanding an immediate payment. The court satisfied the new claim and ordered the court marshals to demand from the press distribution companies to withhold the revenues from the newspaper sales.

Author: Zaur Rasulzade, CK correspondent