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Over 20 journalists appealed to foreign embassies for political asylum. The journalists claim that constant government harassment give them no space to work as journalists and there is permanent danger to their lives, however, the head of presidential administration Ramiz Mehdiyev (right) claims that there is no pressure on press in the Republic of Azerbaijan. (31-MAY-07)

On 23 May the Azerbaijani Government introduced the unexpected and shocking ban on using amplifiers to broadcast the Arabic call to prayer, a distinctive trademark of Muslim countries around the world. However after strong national dissatisfaction the ban was called “misunderstanding” and was abolished after the meeting of the Caucasus Muslim Administrator with the President I.Aliyev. (31-May-07)

The growing tension on the human rights situation and ongoing intimidation of mass media in the Republic of Azerbaijan remain to be the point of serious concern among the numerous international organizations. During May, there were dozens of international reactions, but Azerbaijani government is still ignoring the calls to stop intimidating journalists. (30-MAY-07)

On 24 May, the World Press Freedom Committee sent the letter to the President of Republic of Azerbaijan I.Aliyev. The letter reads: “Your Excellency, on behalf of the World Press Freedom Committee —an organization representing 45 press freedom groups from six continents— I wish to express my profound concern about the alarmingly high number of incarcerations of journalists in your country” (25-MAY-07)

The Institute for Reporter Freedom and Safety condemns the government for preventing the newspapers “Realny Azerbaycan” and “Gundalik Azerbaycan” from being published, and the absurd new charges that have been brought against editor Eynulla Fatullayev. On behalf of IRFS, Emin Huseynov (right) calls for Azerbaijan’s leadership to cease its persecution of the press and its policies, which are discrediting to the country at an international level. (23-MAY-07)

On May 20 from 9 p.m. and midnight workers from the Ministry of Emergency Situations carried out an operation to officially remove all employees from the office of Realny and Gundalik Azerbaycan Newspaper and seal the facility shut. Eynulla Fatullayev, the founder and the chief editor of both of these papers who is already serving a 2.5 prison sentence since 20 April 2007, as there was announced that a criminal case for terrorism against him. (22-MAY-07)

Without being familiar with the internal situation, one may consider strange the fact that against the background of GDP growth and state budget, editorial offices´ profits in the Republic of Azerbaijan decline. While the officials convince the west in non-professionalism of national media “incapable to do business under conditions of growing opportunities” the closer look to the reality, through the below article of Mehman Aliyev (on the right), reveals completely different picture. (21-May-07)

On 15-18 May there was held the training “Childbirth with Dignity” as a part of joint project of the Other Space Foundation (Poland-based), Women’s Association for Rational Development (WARD) and Optimed Medical Clinic. The training was conducted by experts from Republic of Poland for representatives of healthcare and media in the Republic of Azerbaijan. (20-MAY-07)

Rovshan Kebirli and Yashar Agazadeh, Chief Editor and his deputy of Muxalifet Newspaper, are sentenced to 2.5 years of imprisonment of the basis of articles 147.1 and 147.2 of Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code. The case stemmed from the article “AMAY is the trademark of the Aliyev family,” published on 24 February 2007. (17-MAY-07)