Daniel Fried: "Strong countries do not send their reporters to jail"

The statement was made by the US Deputy State Secretary Daniel Fried during the conference on the relations between the United States, Turkey and Azerbaijan and their importance for the Eurasian continent, according to the press service of the US Embassy to Azerbaijan.

D.Fried recalled the detainment of Ilgar Nasibov, a reporter for the Azadlyg radio in Nakhchivan, and voiced concern over this fact.

"The opposition is suppressed in Azerbaijan. Courts must be courts. We are also concerned over the increased pressure on mass media, including the detainment of reporters and editors", he said.

At the same time, D.Fried noted that some people may dislike his words, which do not, however, aim to put pressure on anyone.

He said the United State are also far from the ideal, but never ignore critics, addressed to them.

"Azerbaijan is not bound to perceive the model of the United States as the only possible one. There are other patterns, including the experience of Turkey, which is strengthening its democracy and developing democratic experience and the activity of democratic institutions. Azerbaijan may follow the path of Turkey, where the improvement of principles of the freedom of speech and reporters, as well as the elimination of bans, which are inadmissible in a modern state, are currently being discussed", he said.

/Day.Az/