OSCE media freedom representative welcomes release of Azerbaijani blogger and calls for release of other two imprisoned journalists
VIENNA, 18 November 2010 - The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatovic, welcomed the release today of jailed blogger Adnan Hacizade and called on the Azerbaijani authorities to also set free imprisoned editor Eynulla Fatullayev and blogger Emin Milli.
Hacizade was released after the Baku Appellate Court ruled that he should not serve the remainder of his prison term.
"I am relieved that Hacizade was finally released. This had been a long-standing request of my Office and many international organizations and non-governmental organizations world wide. I have raised this issue on numerous occasions with Azerbaijani officials. I hope he will be eventually cleared of all charges brought against him," Mijatovic said, repeating her call on authorities to also release Milli and Fatullayev.
"I also call on the Azerbaijani authorities to decriminalize defamation so that journalists can exercise their profession free without fear of imprisonment no matter how provocative, satirical or sensitive their expressed views are."