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Editorials

Bananyar Updates - by Vugar Gojayev
What is Happening in Bananyar? - by Vugar Gojayev
From Dolma and Eurovision to Da Vinci Wars - by Elmar Chakhtakhtinski
Battle for Democracy Fought Through Internet - by Vugar Gojayev
Blood, Oil, and Borat in Azerbaijan - by Alexander Zaitchik
Historic Breakthrough Controversies: Will Azerbaijani Lands Be Free Soon - By Leyla Aliyeva
Contract of the Century: Myths and Realities - By Dr. Gubad Ibadoglu
Speech at the University of Richmond on Adnan and Emin - by Elmar Chakhtakhtinski
Open Letter To A Judge - by Leyla Yunus
Plight of Bloggers Gains International Support - by Vugar Gojayev
Azerbaijan's Steady Descent Into Authoritarianism - by Elmar Chakhtakhtinski
Matter Matters, Existence Exists - by Erkin Gadirli
F For Freedom - by Tahsin Ashurov
U.S. Leaves South Caucasus to Russia... By Doing Nothing - by Gorkhmaz Asgarov
New NGO Law Might Cripple Civic Organizations In Azerbaijan - by Vugar Gojayev
"We Had It Once..." - by Gorkhmaz Asgarov
"West Should Withdraw Support For Regime In Baku" - By Bart Wood
History Overshadows Hope On Turkey's Armenain Border - by Daren Butler
Council of Europe: Sleeping Beauty - By Andres Herkel
In Memory of Elmar Huseynov - By Vugar Gojayev
In the Name Of Holy Pipeline - by Leyla Aliyeva
Extending A Hand To the Islamic World - by Amb. Anne Derse
When Balance Policy Blows Up In Your Face - by Gorkhmaz Asgarov

Azerbaijan - Turkmenistan of the Caucasus - by Gorkhmaz Asgarov

George Washington or Islam Karimov? - by Gorkhmaz Asgarov
In Defense of Hope and Dignity - by S. A. Mirzayev
Heydarism - by S. A. Mirzayev

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Because I was In Jail Yesterday... PDF Print E-mail

BAKU. April 13, 2009: Turan Information Agency interviewed poet satirist Mirza Sakit, immediately after his release from jail. The poet, well-known for his anti-government satiric poems was arrested and convicted to three years of imprisonment based on fabricated drug possession charges. International organizations, including the OSCE and the Council of Europe repeatedly called on the Azeri government to set Mirza Sakit free.

- How do you feel the freedom after your release from jail?
- My release, as well as support of my friends, colleagues and political party leaders have once again showed me that my struggle is righteous and I am ready to fight till the end.

- Your arrest was politically motivated. Do you think it has been executed till the end?

- I don’t think so. The dirty policy of the government failed. The last statements of several international organizations as well as the Council of Europe and the U.S. Department of State show that my arrest has brought no success to the Azeri government, but I think they will continue their ways.

- What did you learn in jail and what can you say about the conditions in prison?

- First of all I would like to mention the horrible state of the Justice Ministry and, particularly, the prison colonies. Of course, it is hard to be imprisoned, though I have been treated with respect and even with some care. Life in prison has become a new page in my life. It was obvious from there that the criminals rule the country.

- Did you have a chance to write poems in jail?

- Yes, once I wrote the satiric poem about illegal actions of the administration of the colony No. 14, where I served my term of imprisonment. One of my cellmates has read the poem to several convicts. But one of prisoners passed the poems to the colony’s administration and I was placed to the punishment cell for that. Then my poems were regularly printed at the Azadlig daily. As the colony’s administration started pressuring me, Azadlig daily stopped printing the poems. However, I have lots of poems, stories and satirical articles from that period, which I am going to publish.

- Were you subject to physical violence in colony No. 14?

- I was really nervous, when they handcuffed me. But they could not handcuff my tongue. It is clear that it was instruction from the “top.” But the administration had a headache after that during a long period of time.

- Who supported you?

- I can say that all opposition political parties, international journalism organizations, colleagues and Reporters Without Borders organizations have provided support to me. Even some officials have backed me and they still secretly send me their regards. Frankly speaking, I did not expect such a backing and I am sure that it is worth to struggle for democracy.

- Why did you refuse to accept the amnesty?

- When I heard that several journalists could be amnestied, I was happy. But when absolutely unknown people were amnestied, I felt insulted. It was unfair to amnesty me two months before the end of my term of imprisonment. On the same day I rejected the amnesty and stressed in my statement that I don’t need humanism from Heydarism.

- What are your future plans?

- I am going to publish my poems. There are also some plans, which can be carried into life through electronic media. I would like to say that it is not a tragedy to get into prison, but release from prison is not happiness, either. However, I feel happy, because I am free today and because I was in jail yesterday (Turan).

 
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Azerbaijan in International Media

"He Asked for a Blessing Before He Died," Babek Bekir, RFE/RL, Feb 2, 2010

"Turkey-Armenia Pact Hits Snags," WSJ, Jan.27, 2010

"Bahamas Rejects US Extradition Bid for Victor Kozeny," ABC News, Jan. 27, 2010

"Did the World Get What it Wanted?" RFE/RL, Jan. 20, 2010

"U.S., Norwegian Officials Kept From Azerbaijani Village," RFE/RL, Jan. 13, 2010

"The Middle Class..." by Charles Recknagel, RFE/RL, Jan. 12, 2010

"Dynasty In North Africa," by Wolfram Lacher, Guardian, Jan. 4, 2010

"Low Turnout and Alleged Violations Mar Azerbaijani Local Elections," RFE/RL, January 4, 2010

"Azerbaijan: Webcams Used for "Transparent" Municipal Elections," by Mina Muradova, Eurasianet, Dec. 23, 2009

"Blogger's Appeal Conviction as Europe Slams Baku on Media Rights," by Jessica Powley Hayden, Eurasianet, Dec. 22, 2009

"Azeri bloggers test limits of democracy" By Tom Esslemont, BBC, Dec. 21, 2009

"Arms Siezed In Thailand Were Iran-Bound," by D. Michaels and M. Coker, WSJ, Dec. 21, 2009

"Azerbaijan is not America's Friend," by Aslan Amani, Washington Times, Dec. 19, 2009

"EU Parliament Puts Spotlight on Azerbaijan," RFE/RL, Dec. 16, 2009

"Turkey Has No Ottoman Nostalgia," by Suat Kiniklioglu, The Daily Star, Dec. 14, 2009

"Russia Halts Gas to Armenia," Straits Times, Dec. 14, 2009

"Blair Told by Azeri Victims: Give Your Speaker Fee to Charity," by Nick Meo and Robert Mendick, Telegraph Daily, Dec. 13, 2009

"Blair is Paid Thousands of Pounds in Azerbaijan," the Independent, Dec. 6, 2009

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Videos

January 22, 2010 - RSF Video on Picketing in front of Azeri Embassy In Paris (Adnan Hajizade and Emin Milli)

Dec. 21, 2009 - BBC Video-report On Media Restrictions In Azerbaijan

Dec. 17, 2009 - MEP Marietje Schaake Speaks on Human Rights In Azerbaijan

Dec. 17, 2009 - Joe Higgins's Speech at European Parliament on Human Rights in Azerbaijan

Dec. 10, 2009 - Student Rally at Essex University in Support of Arrested Azeri Bloggers

November 21, 2009 - AZAD Chairman's Speech at Richmond University (Sep. 11, 2009)

November 20, 2009 - Documentary Film About Adnan Hajizadeh and Emin Milli

September 28, 2009 - Hikmat Hajizadeh talks about his son Adnan Hajizadeh

September 22, 2009 - Elmar Mammadyarov Faces Human Rights Questions at Columbia University

September 4, 2009 - Adnan Hajizadeh and Emin Milli Taken to Court In Handcuffs

August 28, 2009 - Action of Protest in Washington DC In Support of Adnan Hajizadeh and Emin Milli - 2

August 28, 2009 - Action of Protest in Washington DC In Support of Adnan Hajizadeh and Emin Milli - 1

"Donkey Video," Over Which Adnan Hajizadeh and Emin Milli Were Arrested

July 31, 2009 - Action of Protest in London for Adnan Hajizadeh and Emin Milli

July 21, 2009 - Al-Jazeera report on arrest of Adnan Hajizada and Emin Milli

June 30, 2009 - Local NGO Leaders Protest NGO Amendments in Azerbaijan

June 29, 2009 - Amnesty International Picketing In Front of Azeri Embassy in Great Britain

Commemoration of College Shooting Victims by Azeri Diaspora In US - May 10, 2009

Student Protest Against Flower Holiday in Baku - May 10, 2009

Student Rally At the Oil Academy In Baku - May 1, 2009

BBC Report on Constitutional Referendum In Azerbaijan - March 15, 2009

Opposition Protest Against Constitutional Changes - Dec. 24, 2008

Oil Contamination In Azerbaijan - Al Jazeera, October 29, 2008

Al Jazeera Report on Corruption in Azerbaijan - October 29, 2008

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