POLITICS
AMBASSADOR TAKES INTO COURT ‘YENI MUSAVAT’ NEWSPAPER
Corr. Mr. Ambassador, you have brought an action against the newspaper ‘Yeni Musavat’. What can you say in detail on the matter?
Amb. Yes, the said newspaper regularly publishes slanderous materials on a number of intellectuals, politicians, and scientists. The authors pay no attention to the ethic principles, disrespect the customs and moral of our people, threaten the honorable men, engage in terrorism in the press. Last times I was one of the men who were terrorized. They make unprecedented claims on me. Nevertheless, I exposed their lie, rejected their libel. They became more nervous and again took the way of insult and threat. However, I am straightly not afraid. I have no secret, and if I had, they would disclose. I had answered their dirty lies and calumny.
If we live in a democratic, legal country, then the citizens also have the right to defend themselves. Democracy, law, freedoms are not only the opposition’s privileges. Simple citizens also should enjoy this opportunity. All their slanders, insults and calumnies against me are reflected in my application.
Corr. It is stated that you demand 900 million manat as compensation from the newspaper. Is it right?
Amb. Yes. One of the materials dwelt on my allegedly financial abuse. I proved that it was slander and libel. I demanded just the amount they dwelt on in the their material.
Currently the case is in legal execution. If the court will make a verdict in my favor, I shall transfer this amount to the account of Boarding School #7 in Baku. The disabled children there need it. Let these abusive persons, who are financed God knows from where, just benefit once the nation. May be then, they will read about moral values, traditions and customs of our nation, ethic norms of our people.
They write that my claims are absurd. Referring to their advocates, they say that ‘I have no right to demand compensation for defaming my business reputation’. They say I am not a businessman. It seems that their attorneys are alike. Does the expression ‘defame of business reputation’ concern only the businessmen? Thanks to God, the public of Turkey, politicians, and representatives of diplomatic corps know me well.
I reiterate that it is wrong when the guilty persons remain unpunished, and it is a fault to defame the innocent people, slander them. The law stipulates all these. I believe our laws. Currently they try to exert pressure on the court. However, I am straight and believe in establishment of justice.