Azerbaijani news agency "Turan" announces suspension of its activities

On September 1, staff members of the Azerbaijani news agency "Turan" will stop their activities in connection with the criminal investigation against the news agency and its director.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on August 16, inspectors of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Taxes started an audit at the office of the news agency "Turan". On August 24, its director Mekhman Aliev was detained in Baku in the case of abuse of power and tax evasion. He has claimed that the news agency "Turan" can suspend its activities because of pressure from the authorities, and tax claims and criminal case have been initiated by officials on the eve of the elections.

"In connection with institution of a criminal case against our news agency on the charge of tax evasion, its bank accounts have been frozen. And yesterday, Mekhman Aliev, the director of the news agency, was detained. In such a situation, all usual activities become extremely difficult," report the journalists from the news agency "Turan" on the website "Contact.az".

"In the near future, we will try to support the activities of the website at our personal expenses and enthusiasm. The news release will be restricted," the journalists from the news agency "Turan" report.

In total, the news agency "Turan" employs 13 people.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.