Ramiz Mehdiyev: "Defamation article should not be removed from criminal code"

There is no newspaper in Azerbaijan to be under government pressure.

The point is that editorships of the newspapers and journalists are breaking the law. So, measures are taken against them in that case in accordance with the legislation.

The closing of editorships is not the question. Gundalik Azerbaijan newspaper is not influenced. The Ministry just conducted revisions and checked security of editorial office's building. Gundalik Azerbaijan and more 6-7 organizations have been removed from that building. That is why it is unfair to politicize this issue, Ramiz Mehdiyev, head of President's Administration was quoted by APA as saying.

Ramiz Mehdiyev touching on the issue on adopting defamation law said Azerbaijan's criminal code presupposes defamation article.

"I think this Article should not be removed from the criminal code for the time being."

The senior official said Azerbaijan is closely cooperating with international organizations.

"If any organization thinks it is insulted then it should look at its own steps. There is no need to pressure Azerbaijan in different forms as we do not accept such steps," he underlined.