Yesterday, 22 April, Azadlig Newspaper’s editorial office received a letter from the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan Republic. The Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety was told this by the newspaper’s director Azer Ahmadov.
In the letter signed by Altay Hasanov, the Presidential Protocol Service Provision Sector for the Work of the First Lady of Azerbaijan Republic, stated that information in the article “Shocking news from Turkish ATV Channel. Mehriban Aliyeva bought a cigar case worth of 100 000 USD” published in the newspaper on 20 April 2010 is defamatory and does not conform to reality. Altay Hasanov demanded that a refutation be published according to the legislation of Azerbaijan Republic and an apology should be made to M.Aliyeva.
A.Ahmadov added that the article in question was prepared according to the Turkish ATV Channel and Azadlig newspaper does not hold any responsibility for it.
“There’s no libel in the article,” said A.Ahmadov. “If this information is wrong, they should demand the ATV channel for a refutation because they produced this information. As Azadlig newspaper, we do not intend to apologize to anyone.”
A.Ahmadov added that the article in question was prepared according to the Turkish ATV Channel and Azadlig newspaper does not hold any responsibility for it.
“There’s no libel in the article,” said A.Ahmadov. “If this information is wrong, they should demand the ATV channel for a refutation because they produced this information. As Azadlig newspaper, we do not intend to apologize to anyone.”