Opposition Newspaper May Be Deprived of Premises in Azerbaijan

PanARMENIAN.Net - The committee on state property of Azerbaijan has brought a suit to the economic court with a demand to evict Azaldyg opposition newspaper from premises in the center of Baku. According to the suit, the offices of National Front Party, Our Way newspaper, Turan news agency, the Foundation of Democracy Development and some other structures should also be evicted from the building. The state committee requested the court to consider invalid the decision of the city administration that granted the premises at the disposal of the Azaldyg and also urged the newspaper to make amends totaling $30 thousand for using the premises without paying the rent. Meanwhile Azer Akhmedov, the Azaldyg director said that the decree of the Mayor doesn't call for rent from any structure. The editorial staff rates the move as pressure and an attempt to close the opposition newspaper. In their opinion the campaign launched against the newspaper is a state order authorized at 'the highest level', reports RFE/RL.