Azadlig newspaper again faces a threat of closure. The newspaper should pay a fine amounting 66,000 manat (AZN 1 = $1.2), and it has a debt to the “Azerbaijan” publishing house. On the receiving end of the financial balance, the newspaper distributor “Gasid” has not paid the newspaper 35,000 manat, which it owes due to the newspaper sales, says Rahim Hajiyev, first deputy chief editor Rahim Hajiyev. Hajiyev says “Gasid” is a newspaper distributor which has entered into the habit of selling the newspapers but not returning the money it owes to the newspapers. Our demands remain unanswered, and a picket held recently in front of “Gasid” firm, demanding payment of the debt, remained unanswered,” said Rahim Hajiyev.
“The advertising market for the newspaper is closed, based on an informal order of the authorities, no business advertises on the Azadlig – a newspaper with opposition views. It is very hard to find the way out of the situation under such conditions,” he said.
Till October 26, the newspaper must pay court fines on the suit of Anar Mammadov (son of the Minister of Transport) amounting 4,000 manat. “For us, this is great sum , and if it is not paid, the arrest of our bank account and confiscation of our property is inevitable,” said Rahim Hajiyev.
Also, the other day another fine of 30,000 manat was imposed on the newspaper; the correspondent Ramin Deko was also fined 2,000 manat. The lawsuit was filed by the Director
of “Bina” trading market, Kabira Mamedova.
However, the newspaper must pay a fine of 30,000 manat at the claim of the head of Baku Metro, Tagi Akhmedov. The newspaper must also pay a fine amounting 4,000 manat to Anar Mammadov
for the scandalous article on eating a bear.
Hajiyev said Azadlig newspaper is under heavy pressure from the government: “They want to silence us.”
He reminded that currently the “Azadlig” editorial office occupies three small rooms on the top floor of the publishing house “Azerbaijan”. Working conditions leave much to be desired. The building is to be repaired, as it is not good to work in; they use umbrellas to save equipment and computers. Door and floors made in the 70 years of the last century, have completely collapsed, and became unusable, said Hajiyev (Turan).
