25 July 2016, 12:10
Court refuses independent media in attending consideration of Act on referendum in Azerbaijan
Today, the Constitutional Court of Azerbaijan has approved amendments to the Constitution, initiated by the President. Only journalists from state-owned and several pro-government media were allowed to enter the courtroom.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on July 18, President Ilham Aliev signed a resolution to direct to the Constitutional Court the draft of the Act on referendum on amendments to the Constitution. Today, the Constitutional Court of Azerbaijan has recognized holding a referendum as eligible.
The draft amendments provide for the prolongation of the presidential term from 5 up to 7 years, the introduction of the provision on dissolution of the Parliament, and the establishment in Azerbaijan of the positions of Vice Presidents.
Only representatives of state-owned "AzTV" TV Channel, the state-owned agency "AzerTag", and some pro-government media were allowed to attend the session of the Constitutional Court of Azerbaijan. Numerous representatives of the independent media were not allowed to highlight the plenum.
The opposition parties requested to ensure their participation in the court session in order to express their opinion concerning the amendments. However, the opposition's requests were also dismissed.
Let us remind you that the oppositionists and local experts spoke against the amendments to the Constitution, since they believe that the proposed changes will entail the establishment of authoritarianism in Azerbaijan.
Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.
Author: Faik Medzhid Source: CK correspondent
