“Last year condition of press and freedom of speech continued deteriorating in Azerbaijan” was the main conclusion of US-based International Committee to Protect Journalists (ICPJ) in their annual report of 2006. “President Ilham Aliyev and his allies used courts as an instrument against independent media, instituted criminal cases on charge of defamation, brought false charges on illicit drug trafficking and jailed journalists, who criticized the government”, reads the report. (10-FEB-07)
Written by Shahla Ismailova/HRH Baku on the basis of ICPJ report
The report mentioned, that Interior Minister Ramil Usubov instituted five criminal cases against journalists of Milli Yol, 24 Saat and Azadlig newspapers. The full chronology and description of cases of assaults and arrests of journalists were included into the report.
According to ICPJ, year 2006 was marked by series of abductions and beatings of journalists and no accusations were brought in many of the cases.
The report stressed the case of suspended broadcast of private television channel ANS for two weeks and the eviction of opposition daily Azadlig, TURAN Agency, Bizim Yol newspaper and Institute of Freedom and Security of Reporters from the building on Khagani street.
 in their annual report of 2006. ){kind=link}