Azadliq newspaper has received a letter from the Azerbaijan publishing company warning that the newspaper’s publication will be stopped unless its debt of up to 20,000 manat is paid, the first deputy of Azadliq, Rahim Hajiyev told the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety (IRFS) on July 2.
According to Hajiyev, they were given one week for paying off the debt.
“The letter says that by 1 July 2013 an aggregate debt of 19,937.80 manat (17,271 manat for publishing expenses and 2666.80 for utilities) has arisen under the agreement signed between the Azerbaijan publishing house and our editorial office. They require us to pay our debt fully by July 8, 2013. Otherwise it will be beyond the financial ability of the publishing company to provide our newspaper with printing and utility services” said Hajiyev drawing attention to the financial strain facing the newspaper.
Azadliq is a daily newspaper published since December 24, 1989.