By Asbarez | Thursday, 01 December 2016
BAKU (Reuters)—Azerbaijan’s parliament on Wednesday made online defamation of the president a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment.
With almost all traditional media strictly controlled by the government, social media networks have become outlets for people to voice criticism in a country where the economy has suffered from the global slump in oil prices and a depreciating currency.
Azerbaijan criminalized defamation over the internet three years ago, meaning many people now use aliases and covert accounts, but the existing law made no separate mention of the president.
Parliament on Wednesday passed amendments imposing fines of up to 1,500 manats ($860) and prison terms of up to three years for defamation of the president committed online, including comments which are made under fake names and accounts.
European institutions and rights bodies accuse the oil-producing ex-Soviet state and its leader Ilham Aliyev of tightening curbs on free expression and have been calling the president to reject the law. Azeri officials deny these accusations.
comments
Iran Holds Massive War Games Near Armenian, Azeri Borders
Putin Invites Pashinyan, Aliyev for Talks, Slams Macron
Armenian Man Arrested In Russia Over Crimea Bridge Blast
U.S. Again Calls on Azerbaijan to Pull Back Troops in Armenia
Russia Calls on Azerbaijan to Pull Back Troops in Armenia
France Demands Withdrawal of Azerbaijani Forces from Armenia
Aliyev Says No One or Nothing Can Stop His Forces
CSTO Secretary-General Arrives in Armenia as Putin Calls for Restraint
Tehran Vows Strong Resistance Against Effort to Damage Iran-Armenia Border
Aliyev Anticipates Yerevan-Baku Peace Treaty Will be Signed in a Few Months