Azerbaijan blocks OCCRP over major corruption reportSeptember 6, 2017 - 18:44 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The website of the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) was blocked in Azerbaijan on Tuesday, September 5, Meydan TV reports. The block occurred hours after OCCRP published a major investigation into corruption, bribery, and money-laundering, in which President Ilham Aliyev, his family, and other powerful figures were said to have been involved. The investigation, known as the Azerbaijani Laundromat, is based on leaked banking records, and details the way in which $2.9 billion was laundered through a series of shell companies and then used to bribe European politicians, buy luxury goods, or move money abroad for other purposes. "The goal of independent journalism is to hold those in power accountable," Drew Sullivan, editor and co-founder of OCCRP, told Meydan TV. "The Azerbaijani Laundromat investigation sheds light on secretive transactions worth billions of dollars made by powerful, wealthy elites. Its publication is in the interest of all Azerbaijani citizens who wonder whether their government is working for them or against them. The authorities’ decision to block OCCRP’s web site immediately after the publication of the investigation shows that its priority is to keep its own citizens in the dark." Related links: Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenian, Iranian foreigh policy chief talk over the phone The Foreign Minister of Armenia once again expressed condolences to his counterpart on the death of the President of Iran. Armenia, U.S. customs authorities to boost assistance with new deal The government has approved an agreement with the U.S. government on mutual assistance between the customs authorities. Armenian government besieged by protesters Protesters led by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan poured into Yerevan’s Republic Square to try to surround the seat of Armenia’s government. Armenia, Russia agree on repairing railway destroyed in floods Yerevan and Moscow have agreed to repair a flood-stricken railway in northern Armenia. |