December 3, 2002 - 22:51 AMT
EDITOR OF AZERI NEWSPAPER APPEALED TO CE TO PROTECT FREEDOM OF SPEECH IN THE COUNTRY
Editor-in-chief of "Eni Musavat" Azeri opposition newspaper Rauf Arifoglu has appealed to Council of Europe Secretary General Walter Schwimmer and president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the CE Peter Schieder calling them to protect the newspaper from oppression by the country authorities. As reported by "Arminfo" agency, the message says that the newspaper has undergone assaults after publishing the report that foreign businessmen brought suits against Heydar Aliyev and his son due to machinations in the course of holding privatization in the country. 7 cases are opened against the newspaper resulting from which it may be closed. "Taking into account the fact that the judicial system of Azerbaijan totally depends on the country leadership, the threat seems rather realistic. Thus, we consider that such developments can be prevented only in case the international community interferes," - the message of "Eni Musavat" newspaper editor says.