Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani Court Jails Activist Editor

(RFE/RL)

January 16, 2007 -- The editor of an opposition website in Azerbaijan has been jailed for campaigning against a sharp rise in energy prices.

Utilities Price Hike Sparks Anger

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January 16, 2007

According to Emin Guseinov, leader of the opposition youth group Maqam, a district court in the capital imposed a 12-day jail term on January 15 on Bakhtiyar Hadjiyev, editor of the susmayaq.biz website.

Following a government decision last week, prices for gasoline have risen by 50 percent and household electricity prices have risen by 300 percent.

Prices for public transport and gas prices for non-residential consumers have also risen.

(AFP)

Human Rights In Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani parliamentarian and historian Jamil Hasanli speaking at RFE/RL on November 29 (RFE/RL)

THE CURSE OF OIL. On November 29, RFE/RL's Washington office hosted a briefing on democratic development in Azerbaijan. The briefing featured liberal opposition lawmaker Jamil Hasanli and former political prisoner and activist Murad Sadaddinov. The two men discussed the international commitments Azerbaijan has made in the area of human rights in order to secure investment in its energy sector and offer advice as to how the international community should deal with Baku.

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Listen to the entire briefing (about 90 minutes):
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Authorities Intensify Pressure On Independent Media

Azerbaijan: Coping With The Oil Windfall

EU Taking Note Of Baku's Strength

Azeri Journalist's Prison Sentence Denounced As Political

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RFE/RL's English-language coverage of Azerbaijan.

For a regular review of civil-society developments throughout RFE/RL's broadcast region, subscribe to "RFE/RL (Un)Civil Societies."

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