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April 29, 2008 · INSTITUTE FOR REPORTERS’ FREEDOM STATEMENT · ADDENDUM I: LEGISLATION THAT IRFS BELIEVES THE SHOWING OF “IFLAS” VIOLATED ·ADDENDUM II: “IFLAS” FILM SUMMARY
INSTITUTE FOR REPORTERS’ FREEDOM STATEMENT
The Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety resolutely condemns the showing of the film “Iflas” (Bankruptcy) on “Lider TV” last Tuesday, 22 April 2008, at 9 p.m. in Azerbaijan. The approximately 43-minute “documentary” film, which is unabashed black PR against independent newspaper “Azadlig” and leader of opposition Azerbaijan Popular Front Party Ali Kerimli, presents completely unbalanced and unsubstantiated information, includes pornographic images and foul language, and makes claims that are outright false. Through the showing of “Iflas,” countless local laws, as well as international agreements, were violated, never mind the fact that unacceptable acts committed by people working in the government are reflected in the film – for example the discussion of opposition leader Ali Kerimli’s sexuality in parliament. IRFS spent the majority of last week analyzing this film, only to find out that the narratives given in the film are riddled with grammatical errors and include many incomplete expressions that can be completely misunderstood by viewers. This not only reflects a lack of journalistic professionalism on the part of “Lider TV,” but also confirms that the intention of this film is not to introduce well thought out and substantiated facts, but instead just to bombard people with sensational, and at times even pornographic, images and verbiage that have no place on primetime television in any country. In IRFS’ opinion, the timing of this film is no coincidence. “Iflas” appears to be an attempt to expand upon slanderous video footage about “Azadlig” Newspaper correspondent Agil Khalil that was shown on “Lider TV” last month and to defame a member of the political opposition in the run-up to the 2008 presidential elections. IRFS believes that the showing of “Ilfas” confirms what countless human rights activists and leaders of independent mass media institutions have long been claiming; although Azerbaijani government officials are forever espousing the need for independent and opposition journalists in Azerbaijan to be more professional, it is in fact mass media serving Azerbaijan’s current regime that most vulgarly perverts journalism ethics. In light of what is written above, the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety calls on the National TV and Radio Council to take immediate measures against “Lider TV” for its flagrant violation of local and international legislation through the showing of “Iflas,” and to put an immediate end to these types of disgraceful, illegal broadcasts, which are a total affront to Azerbaijan’s national morals and values and damage Azerbaijan’s international image. In the same token, IRFS calls on local law enforcement agencies to prosecute to the furthest extent of the law all people who from a position of authority gave the order for the production and/or broadcast of “Iflas.” Lastly IRFS calls on the international community to the hold the government of Azerbaijan responsible for these incidents, to put actual sanctions in place to prevent programs of this nature from ever being shown on television again, and to compel the government of Azerbaijan to respect the rights of all people and to fulfill all of its international obligations in the area of human rights. To view this film on “YouTube” please click on the links below:
IFLAS Film Part I: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zk3FmZtY8Q
IFLAS Film Part II: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-Hhvqg8irg
IFLAS Film Part III: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r02ph2keuWw
IFLAS Film Part IV: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbZLZImN1Wg
IFLAS Film Part V: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v49ayYirHA
ADDENDUM II
Legislation that IRFS believes the showing of the film “IFLAS” violated:
Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan:
Article 32 – Right to private life
Article 46 – Right to defend honor and dignity
Article 63 – Right to the presumption of innocence European Convention on Human Rights:
Article 3 – Prohibition of torture, and inhumane and degrading treatment
Article 6 – Right to a fair trial
Article 8 – Right to respect for private and family life
Article 14 – Prohibition of discrimination Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan:
Article 147 – Libel*
Article 148 – Insult*
Article 156 – Violation of a person’s inviolable personal life
Article 300 – Dissemination of investigative and preliminary investigation information Law on Television and Radio Broadcasting:
Chapter 1, Article 3 – The basic principles of tele-radio activities
Broadcasters’ activities are in rested in the comprehensive, objective, whole and correct information, free expression for citizens of their own ideas and perspectives, ideology and political pluralism, absence of bias and impartiality, the unallowable interference in people’s private and family life, the protection of national moral values, the adherence to professional ethics and moral norms, and the principles of quality programming.
Chapter 1, Article 3 – Protection of children and minors
33.1. Corresponding state body sets special rules for broadcasts that are transmitted without code and may damage physical, mental and moral development of children and minors, also containing erotica and brutality.
33.2. In announce of broadcasts with limited air time and before transmission information must be provided on this.
33.3. Transmission of broadcast with limited air time must be accompanied by special characters, scripts indicating to prohibition on children and minors to watch, or other warning signs on characteristics of broadcast.
Republic of Azerbaijan Law on Mass Media Sources:
Article 10.1 – On secretly recorded film
The use or dissemination of secretly recorded audio and video footage, movie and photos or prepared information/material is only allowed in the following conditions
1) If the person and citizen have a written agreement about this, and outsiders take necessary measures to protect the rights and freedoms determined in the Republic of Azerbaijan Constitution
2) If there is a court decision about the showing
Special rules on showing programs that could damage children and minors’ physical, mental and moral development and are disseminated decoded, including erotic and cruel programs (adopted by Azerbaijan’s National Radio and TV Council on 1 March 2006)
* IRFS does not support the use of these two articles, particularly in their criminal interpretation, but acknowledges that they do apply in this case.
ADDENDUM II
“IFLAS” FILM SUMMARY
“IFLAS” is based on statements made by two founding, former members of Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, Ramiz Tagiyev and Tahmasib Novruzov, ruling “Yeni Azerbayjan” Party Deputy Abid Abiyev and Psychologist Dayanet Rzayev, as well as secretly recorded footage from the cases of “Yeni Fikir” Youth Movement Chairman Ruslan Bashirli and “Bizim Yol” Newspaper correspondent Mushfig Huseynov, a secretly recorded interview with former Minister of Interior Isgander Hamidov from several years ago, and video footage from the investigation into the beating and stabbing of “Azadlig” Newspaper correspondent Agil Khalil (cases which the court has not considered yet).
“IFLAS” opens with the narrator speaking about how politics is for “real” men, but the narrator notes that he does not mean gender. The narrator claims that Azerbaijan’s political landscape is very colorful, and then notes that Popular Front Party leader Ali Karimli, referred to throughout this film as both Ali Karimli and Ali Karimov, has “his own unique color.” Then the narrator states, “Ali Karimov’s ‘political’ activities are and will remain a black stain on Azerbaijan’s political history,” and recalls some history from the early 90s. The narrator states that Azerbaijan Popular Front’s greatest error was coming to power unprepared, and blames that political party for bringing Black PR to Azerbaijan.
Former AXC Supreme Assembly member Ramiz Tagiyev expresses his support for the notion that Karimli is a master of Black PR. The narrator alleges that Ali Karimli spread rumors that the Popular Front’s first leader Abulfez Elchibey was hospitalized in Turkey because of a venereal disease and that Karimli used pictures of male sex organs as visual aids in Azerbaijan’s press. Tagiyev says Ali Karimli organized articles against Elchibey in various newspapers, and even sent journalists to Tagiyev to try to get him to make comprising statements about Elchibey. The narrator condemns an interview the Karimli gave to the Moscow press in 1990. Then former Popular Front member Tahmasib Novruzov explains that Karimli said it was not Soviet forces but elements in Azerbaijan that are to blame for the 20 January events. There is talk about the splitting up of the Popular Front into several factions, and the departure from the party by Ramiz Tagiyev, who speaks in this film. The narrator claims that Ali Kerimli is willing to “sacrifice everything, even his closest companions” to “create the image of a beaten and abused serious democrat.” R. Tagiyev brings up Ruslan Bashirli, the imprisoned chairman of “Yeni Fikir” (New Idea) Youth Movement, claiming that Bashirli saw Kerimli living a luxurious life and taking money and bribes for “different forces,” and decided he was willing to do the same. Tagiyev also brings up “Azadlig” correspondent Agil Khalil, noting that there are reports that he was tortured and deprived of food by the investigation. Then Tagiyev makes the unclear comment, “How come you agreed to these kinds of things during a 2 or 3 hour investigation?” (IRFS note: Khalil and his lawyer reported to the press that he was interrogated for 15 hours.) Novruzov speaks about Ruslan Bashirli, calling him an infant, and also speaks about an the incident in 2005 where “Azadlig” Newspaper Chief Editor Ganimet Zahidov and Director Azer Ahmedov were photographed naked together with Uzbek women. According to Novruzov, “the continuation of this is Agil Khalil.” The narrator says, “Agil Khalil not only shares the same personality as Ali Karimli, but also he shares the same color. It looks like the tendency towards sexual minority is the weakness of Ali Karimov’s and his circle. The list of people with whom Agil Khalil has friendly relationships proves this. Unfortunately his youth passion was directed to a wrong direction by the chief of the party.” The narrator claims that Khalil wanted to come out to the press after he was stabbed on March 13, but “Azadlig” Director conferred with Ali Kerimli, and they decided instead to use and politicize the incident. Ramiz Tagiyev talks about the difficult financial situation of imprisoned “Azadlig” Newspaper satiric/journalist Sakit Zahidov’s family, saying that Ali Kerimli does not do enough to help them, but tried to throw an elaborate party in Guba (a mountainous region in northern Azerbaijan), which, Tagiyev notes, was thwarted by police. Afterwards Taigyev says that Kerimli tries to portray himself as a victim. The narrator mentions the case of “Bizim Yol” Newspaper journalist Mushfig Huseynov, who is accused of taking a 3,500 USD bribe, and says that such actions are the “tactics and policy of Ali Kerimov.” Tahmasib Novruzov mentions that this year would have been Elchibey’s 70th birthday. He says, “Up to this day ‘Azadlig’ newspaper has not once published Abulfaz Aliyev’s picture or writes about him; as if it is not Abulfaz Aliyev’s 70th anniversary; sometimes we have a feeling that we are getting ready for Ali Karimli’s 70th anniversary. Maybe we are getting ready for Agil Khalil’s 70th anniversary? By the way, who is this person Agil Khalil? Why are they exaggerating this that much? Why are they making this much noise? I don’t understand. As I mentioned earlier, it is already clear that Ali Karimli belongs to a sexual minority.” Tagiyev then brings up the issue that there was no defense campaign conducted for him when he was imprisoned. He says, “Today Professor Jamil Hasanli, whom I respect a lot, looks like wants to sacrifice himself for Farhad Aliyev. Why wasn’t defense for Ramiz Tagiyev, who was a member of Popular Front Supreme Assembly for more than ten years, the chief of regional organization, and someone who has done enough service for his nation and National Freedom Movement, at this level? Of course, there’s one reason here; Ramiz Tagiyev didn’t have financial resources.” Footage from a Milli Mejlis (parliament) session five years ago is shown in which Parliamentarian Ahad Abiyev discusses Ali Karimli’s sexuality using insulting and inappropriate language, and calls the opposition leader an “agent.” Karimli is present in the footage, as at that time he was a parliamentarian, and shown returning some insults. In an interview taken recently, Abiyev says that after his statement, Ali Kerimli never came back to parliament.
The narrator recalls an incident in 2005 in which a group of homosexuals met Ali Kerimli at the Istanbul airport with flowers. He says, “Even the Turkish press wrote no small measure about this. And afterwards, the placing of Ali Kerimli on the list of famous gays on the Russian website gey.ru put all doubts to rest.” The narrator says A. Kerimli’s “actions are confirmed by scientific sources.” Psychologist Dayanet Rzayev then speaks about the alleged causes of homosexuality, one of which he says is experiencing a traumatic situation. He notes that a patient of his had sexual relations with a boy who was three or four years older than him in his childhood. Rzayev says that person did not become a homosexual, but this incident showed, and was reflected in the patient’s behavior. Then the narrator says, “It is no secret that Ali Kerimov was subjected to this type of aggression in a children’s colony when he was young.” Old footage from a secretly recorded interview with former Minister of Interior Isgander Hamidov is shown. He says, “He was imprisoned for 10 days. At that time in Bayil they was a place called the ‘children’s building,’ children’s building, and he stayed in the children’s building. In the prison world, people staying in the children’s building, I am sorry I will say it in prison slang, this is considered to be shameful. […] For some reason they slapped him with this epithet. Therefore, I think like you, either he committed a mistake somewhere, or he doesn’t know it, or he sat down and drank tea with them. On it could be that their democratic game was supposed to end like this.” (IRFS note: this footage is from some years ago, and after it was leaked Hamidov and Karimli held a joint press conference in which it was stated that the footage/interview was taken out of context.) The narrator, “In science it was long ago proved that these types of people more resemble women, with their voices, the fact that hair doesn’t grow from their faces and through other physical indicators. And after these hormonal changes, it causes changes in a person’s character and personality too.” Novruzov says, “Already, when this fact is put forth, when Ali Kerimli keeps silent and gives no reaction to this, through this it is know that he a representative of a sexual minority. Whether you want it or not, having a representative of a sexual minority conduct a struggle for the government, leading a political body, this is a matter that damages our image as one nation.” Video footage from the incident involving Ruslan Bashirli is shown, and the narrator says, “Ali Kerimov and the count of his victims won’t end with naive young adults like the brothers Ganimet and Mirza Sakit (Sakit Zahidov), Ruslan Bashirli and Agil Khalil. And as long as this insidious policy continues, it cannot be ruled out that there won’t be fresh victims.” Then Ahad Abiyev appeals to the parents of the young people that support Ali Kerimli. He says, “Ali Kerimov will even sacrifice them, kill them in the night, get up the next morning and infuriate the parents by saying look the government killed them, the government brought things to this point.” Then Abiyev encourages the parents to come and speak to him about this matter. The movie ends with two frames, one that says the “Victims of Hypocrisy,” and shows the pictures of Abulfez Elchibey, Ramiz Tagiyev, Tahmasib Novruzov and a gathering of the 102 people that created the Azerbaijan Popular Front Movement. And then a second frame, which says “Who is next?” and shows the pictures of Sakit Zahidov, Mushfig Huseynov, Ruslan Bashirli and Ganimet Zahid, and one empty space with a question mark on it. Addendum III Shown on Lider TV channel on Tuesday 22 April 2008
in Baku, Azerbaijan
(English language translation) *IRFS in no way supports either the opinions expressed in this film or the offensive language used here. At the same time, in this translation we have made every effort to preserve the original tone of the film, including crude slang terms and foul language so that readers get a complete idea of and can properly assess what is stated in the film and broadcast into the houses of possibly millions of Azerbaijani viewers. NARRATOR: Politics – for some it is a dirty, that is to say deceptive, profession, for some it is simply entertainment, and others claim that politics is only for real men. However, it is never the case that it is just men in politics. The talk is not about gender, because epithets like “Iron Lady” show that political scientists long ago negated gender categories. There are some people of such quality that, irregardless of if they are female or male, they must be politicians. Famous Roman poet Publius said, those who can’t control themselves will not be able to control others, they won’t become good politicians. From this perspective, the landscape of modern Azerbaijan’s new political history is very colorful. And in this landscape one figure with his own color, his own political brokerage and treachery uncharacteristic to people in Azerbaijan attracts special attention. Although politics may be a new concept, a new knowledge for us Azerbaijanis, our people have their own policy to respect elders, to say things to people’s faces and to have high regard for our values. But Ali Karimov’s “political” activities are and will remain a black stain on Azerbaijan’s political history. Let’s look back on this history. In the early 1990s in the People’s Movement that started on “Azadlig” (Freedom) Square with Abulfez Elchibey at its head, other leaders found their own worthy places in Azerbaijan’s history. However, in the post Elchibey period degradation could not be kept at bay. The party that was the heir of the movement has stepped into a miserable epoch and can’t escape another crisis. The talk is about Azerbaijan Popular Front (AXC), and then, with a P added, the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (AXCP). Why did this happen, and who is behind all of this? We will try to investigate this. Obviously it is impossible that we, and simple citizens of Azerbaijan, can’t be interested in the recent past, because it is very difficult to determine the future without knowing the past. Naturally Azerbaijan Popular Front’s first tragedy was coming to power without being prepared. The staff policy and the invasion of party lines by masked people was something significant. That is to say feeling of ambition and egoism that grew among these people turned the organization into the monopoly of one person, to be exact turned it into a commercial structure, and this put an end to the factual existence of AXC. Yes, we are going to talk about the history of a betrayal. It is worth it to know and even take a lesson from this story. The people must know that the people who are teaching moral lessons to Azerbaijani society today, were the authors of immense immorality a couple of years ago. They are the ones that brought black PR to Azerbaijani politics and the Azerbaijani press. Back then, when the TV channels that Ali Karimov likes to complain about didn’t exist, a large network of press and propaganda machines served Karimov. Slandering his companions was as easy as pushing a button, and when this same politician was dishonored by the media that was under supervision of the organization “Yurd,” created within the party. He actually pasted the letter “P” onto this party that was created on honest purposes and to the media. Former member of AXC Supreme Assembly Ramiz Tagiyev First with black PR… already rusted opposition leaders became the master of black PR. And I would especially say that Ali Karimli specialized in certain issues. He is especially skilled in black PR – to smear his rivals using different means, to pressure them, to work with the media, to send his emissaries to the press, to many newspapers, and in leading this technology. And this skill doesn’t work in favor of the nation. Narrator: The imperfection of Ali Karimov reached its height when he started to pine for the position of late Abulfaz Elchibey in politics and even in the party. He knew very well that Abulfaz Elchibey was a serious obstacle in the way of the political career he was thinking about for himself. That is why he chose an opportunity that was dishonorable and indecent for a man and humanity to remove this impediment. Ali Karimov started an attack against the person he called his “moral father” when Elchibey was hospitalized in Gulhana hospital in Turkey due to health problems. Using black PR tactics for the first time in Azerbaijan, he started to publish articles in the newspaper under his supervision stating that Elchibey allegedly had a venereal disease. Karimov’s hired writers and tried to make others join this campaign. He was nastily branding this person, whom he called his moral father, at a time when that person was in the hands of death and giving signals that he was suffering because he led an immoral life. It was for the first time that he organized disagreement using the pictures of male sex organs as visual aids in the Azerbaijani Press. Former member of AXC Supreme Assembly Ramiz Tagiyev In some instances I believed in Ali Karimli’s tricks and even my opinion about Elchibey changed. I mean this. But as I mentioned earlier, this person publishes a lot of newspapers. I noted, sometimes I could see he had networks of newspapers. With the help of this network he organized articles in different newspapers against Elchibey in my name. Or those journalists found me at the initiative of Ali Karimli, and they didn’t hide from me that Ali Karimli advised them to interview me, and the interview was set up so that they could find an expression to use against Elchibey. Narrator: There have been many harsh statements and unexpected steps in politics. But the opinions in Ali Karimov’s interview he gave to the Moscow press in 199, less than a month after the 20 January Tragedy, is not compatible within any political framework. Former AXC member Tahmasib Novruzov: In March of 1990, when the forty days of the mourning were not over, he gave an interview to “Komsomolski Pravda”. As an Azerbaijan State University student and “Komsomol” member he gave an interview and said that not the Soviet leadership but Azerbaijan’s different adventurist and extremist elements are to blame for the 20 January incidents. This is the same Ali Karimli! The nation sobs in tears, tears for its tragedy, and he claims that not Moscow, but the nation itself generated this tragedy. Narrator: After the death of Abulfaz Elchibey, the plans of Ali Karimov to take the AXC into his hands started to be realized more quickly. But this process was not easy. The contradictions within the party ended with splits. The first split was with the reformers… then new branches and wings appeared. Although Ali Karimov declared himself the heir of the old Front, he was surrounded by anyone from the old front. Former member of AXC Supreme Assembly Ramiz Tagiyev Why weren’t Ali Karimov’s steps left without results? The main.. how to say it.. the nucleus of the Front left. All Elchibey lovers and the ones that went with him in theNational Freedom Movement and people who gave exceptional service in the movement… only a few of them stayed. I know the reason why they stayed. I think… they have some issues with Ali Karimov and at some point that they got stuck there. But the Classical Popular Front left. Who caused the division of the Popular Front in 3 or 4 pieces? Today Azerbaijani society knows that it is not the government that destroyed the Popular Front completely. Former AFP member Tahmasib Novruzov: I want him to answer one question for me. Is there a single person in the AXCP, which was created on the basis of AXC and is called its heir, today that was a founder and activist in the Popular Front? Let him mention one name. Ramiz Tagiyev was the only one left. And he was arrested. And when he was released, instead of helping and supporting him, they treated Ramiz in such a manner that he was disgusted and he left. He saw the situation there and hated them. Today I can present to you a list of 102 people who were the first members of Azerbaijan’s Popular Front Supreme Assembly. I mean 102 people who established this organization. If one of the 102 names exist in the AXCP then in fact it has right to carry the name of AXC’s heir. Not one name. Why? Because, by estranging the healthy, clean and disinterested movement members from the organization, this opened way for involving young, new generation and making them immoral like himself, thus confusing, smearing and disgusting the political atmosphere of Azerbaijani Society. That is why today healthy forces, healthy political forces must understand and say their opinions. There is no place for people like Ali Karimli in Azerbaijani Politics. Narrator: Ali Karimov continued his work in the same way that he came to politics. For his career he sacrificed everything, even his closest companions, and brought himself to political arena using their tragedies, and tried to create the image of a beaten and abused serious democrat. All these give us the grounds to say so. Observations show that naïve young people often become victims of the execution of his nasty intentions. Former member of AXC Supreme Assembly Ramiz Tagiyev: One youth became miserable. In fact, I don’t blame Ruslan Bashirli when I examine the reasons and roots of this. Who is guilty? Ruslan Bashirli had been around Ali Karimli since he knew himself. And he sees that there are business interests here. He sees that Ali Karimli lives a luxurious life, Ali Karimli is ready to get money and bribes from different forces. He is going to take this step right away. Narrator (asks Ramiz Tagiyev): On behalf of democracy? Former member of AXC Supreme Assembly Ramiz Tagiyev: Yes, he will do it first. Let’s say here that some foreign secret service registered this. It was interesting. Who lived this moment when taking this step? Ruslan Bashirli and others did. How much noise you make today won’t help to erase this fact. For the youth going abroad, someone should explain to him they are not going there to party and to not lose his head. Other issues… let me show you one episode. Today, he has turned into the biggest topic of journalism. Agil Khalil’s theme is regretful, regretful. To tell the truth, I am not happy about this incident. But they write that Agil Khalil was tortured and he…they held him hungry. I mean this is an interesting moment here. In my life these situations… struggling… I have been a fighting person since my youth and I was one of the first people who hunger-struck to protest against the Russian empire. I went hungry for 15 days. There even was special supervision on us and I departed from my position. How do you agree to these kinds of things during a 2 or 3 hour investigation? Former AFP member Tahmasib Novruzov:
A couple of years ago a child by the name Ruslan Bashirli, this infant whose mouth still smelled milk went… and this was broadcast on TV in front of everybody. Everyone witnessed that this person took 2,000USD from an Armenian. They made noise. This child was in the newspaper and they said, ‘Hey, the government set this up on plot. This is a government set-up. People came, and people came from the international community. They received the cassette, took it, experts watched, examined it and saw that there’s no editing. And this is true. In this case, other countries, foreign countries can see this as a simple case. But I - as a child of Azerbaijan, as a person who fought for the independence of Azerbaijan – can’t remain indifferent to this. Where are the youth of my country going? “Azadlig” newspaper stood for his defense. A little while ago if you remember, Ganimat Zahid went to a restaurant and a disgraceful naked picture with Uzbek girls (he laughs) came out. He said the government was behind this case also… Did the government tell you, Ganimat Zahid, go and conduct shameful sex acts? Let’s say, the government tell someone this. What about your morals, your manliness? They started to defend him; allegedly Ganimat Zahid was framed today. Now the continuation of this is Agil Khalil. And today we want to sue “Azadlig” newspaper; where are you dragging Azerbaijan? In the direction of immorality? And where does this movement, this policy, these steps take Azerbaijan? I stay silent, you stay silent, and everyone stays silent, and Ali Karimli and his party and the newspaper that is in his monopoly are left to do what they know and what they want. Then Azerbaijan youth will be corrupted. Narrator: In fact the Agil Khalil incident is a continuation of the Ali Karimov moral. There’s a saying, “If you keep one horse by the other they will have the same personality if not the same color.” In this case, this proverb may not be exact; because Agil Khalil not only shares the same personality as Ali Karimli, but also he shares the same color. It looks like the tendency towards sexual minority is a weakness of Ali Karimov’s and his circle. The list of people with whom Agil Khalil had friendly relationships with proves this. Unfortunately his youthful passion was directed in the wrong direction by the chief of the party. And when people don’t find their match, they’ll live moaning (Translator’s note: this is a proverb). With this incident Ali Karimov’s attitude towards the Azerbaijani Youth and his desire to use it was evident. The last incident creates suspicion that Ali Karimov is in working contact with the sexual minority regarding provocation. Otherwise, what do we call the misleading of society, and the hypocrisy? According to the information, first Agil Khalil wanted to tell the police everything, about the conflict between himself and the representative of a sexual minority. But “Azadlig” Newspaper Director Azer Ahmadov, to whom he called first, forbade him from doing this. After consulting Ali Karimov, he got instructions from his boss to make the case political. But they didn’t think about its consequences. By the way, let’s look at an interesting detail here. After turning the young people around him into his victims, Ali Karimov defends them for a few months. For example, does the “Azadlig” newspaper which wrote about Ruslan Bashirli on almost all of its pages some time ago remember him now? This fate awaits Agil Khalil, who is the hero of our time. And others as well… Former member of AXC Supreme Assembly Ramiz Tagiyev:
One of the victims of Ali Karimli, Ganimat Saki .. aahh…Sakit’s close relatives tell me that they don’t get assistance from anywhere and are having difficulties. This is heart wrenching. But I think Ali Karimlo, even if he has to sell his suit, the leader of this organization, Ali Karimli is obliged to assist them. And when this happens, Ali Karimli… When Ganimat Zahi, ahhh, Mirza Sakit’s family raises this issue to say that his family is in a difficult situation, the economic situation is difficult, Ali Karimli collects hundreds of people from his circle to go to Guba for a party. And there… I don’t know whether someone approached them there or not, he creates a show in the newspapers that the police attacked them there and didn’t let us have fun. First of all, “Azadlig” newspaper should ask the question, ‘Hey Ali Karimli, your prominent journalist is in prison, you have hundreds of people living in need. Was it really important to go to Guba to relax in this situation? ‘ Narrator: This kind of attitude toward his Front companions has created such a climate around Ali Karimov that an ordinary party member considers himself justified. Everyone in AXCP sees the luxurious life of Ali Karimov and gets busy setting up a better life for himself. It is no coincidence that “Bizim Yol” Newspaper employee Mushfig Huseynov, who is in the monopoly of Ali Karimov, was caught when he was receiving no more nor less – a 3,500 USD bribe. This is the tactic and policy of Ali Karimov, who wants to teach moral and justice lessons to society. And then they clamor that they are defending the rights of people like Mushfig Huseynov. One of the issues that worry former Frontiers is the situation of “Azadlig” Newspaer, which was established by Najaf Najafov. “Azadlig” newspaper’s move for cheap sensation and fake political scandals…this was the newspaper of a nation that fought a life-and-death battle against a big empire some years ago, angers the former movement activists as time goes on. Ganimat Zahidov and Azer Ahmadov, who lead the newspaper, haven’t moved beyond their revelry. You probably remember “Three Palms” operation. Friends organized a pleasure party on the night of the Khojali tragedy to get away from grief. These are “Azadlig” Newspaper’s current charlatan leaders and Ali Karimov’s colorful victims, who were screaming freedom in the memory of people some years ago. Former AFP member Tahmasib Novruzov:
We are getting ready for the 70 year anniversary of Abulfaz Elchibey, who was the leader of Azerbaijan’s Popular Front, and who as the leader achieved the founding of “Azadlig” newspaper. And we have already started the events; we are conducting some events. We announced a competition, different meetings, different events. Up to this day, not once has “Azadlig” Newspaper published Abulfez Elchibey’s picture or written about him; as if it is not Abulfaz Elchibey’s 70th anniversary; sometimes we have a feeling that we are getting ready for Ali Kerimli’s 70th anniversary. Maybe we are getting ready for Agil Khalil’s 70th anniversary? By the way, who is this person Agil Khalil? Why are they exaggerating that this much? Why are they making this much noise? I don’t understand. As I mentioned earlier, it is already clear that Ali Karimli belongs to a sexual minority. In this party and connected to that party… because “Azadlig” newspaper in the foundation of the Azerbaijan Popular Front… if the party of Popular Front was created… “Azadlig” Newspaper also is in its base … “Azadlig” should have operated as an Azerbaijan Popular Front organ, and AXC should have been its founder. But the party of Popular Front was created; and “Azadlig” newspaper is published through collective founding. Why? It means tomorrow there is the intention of holding the newspaper in his monopoly when he surrenders the party. Who gave them this authority, this authority? I and other movement members founded this newspaper. Today these movement members are alive, not dead. If seven of us passed away… If seven of the newspaper founders passed away, the remaining 80 people are safe and sound, they live. In front of our eyes… they brought the newspaper, which struggled for the independence of Azerbaijan and had an exceptional service in this path in front of our eyes, to this state. And Agil was everything, only it wasn’t sufficient that the newspaper’s employee is a member of sexual minority. And impudently, not considering being a member of sexual minority… even without being ashamed, he makes noise that some government official caused his beating, and wounded him… wounded… despite the fact that this is a crime committed against him by sick people like himself and so on. Former member of AXC Supreme Assembly Ramiz Tagiyev:
Someone, some minister has hostility against another minister. Sometimes one newspaper defends another newspaper’s position and “Azadlig” Newspaper defends its position, or through “Azadlig” Newspaper, the people who were sucking the blood of the people… I mean, the ones who obtained the privatization share of the Azerbaijani people are already in the advertisement as political leaders. Or today, the people who they criticized until yesterday… This requires great skill. Or let’s see whether they are interested in the fate of the people who demonstrated heroism in the lines of Popular Front, people who created the Popular Front, people who caught illnesses, people who suffered in Russian prisons like “Lefertovo” as a result of black PR? Contrarily, they don’t refrain from smearing them because of jealousy. And then they say, “Don’t feel hurt.” Look, this issue exists. Why didn’t they organize defense for me on this level when I was in prison? Why like that…ahh.. Today Professor Jamil Hasanli, whom I respect a lot, looks like wants to sacrifice himself for Farhad Aliyev. Why defense at this level organized for Ramiz Tagiyev, who was a member of Popular Front assembly for more than ten years, who was the chief of regional organization and has had enough service for his nation and National Freedom Movement? Of course, there’s one reason here; Ramiz Tagiyev didn’t have financial resources. Narrator:
Ali Karimov’s fight against Azerbaijan mentality through these kinds of political means and his attitude toward his surroundings opened the way for certain thoughts about his personal characteristics as a human being. If these thoughts were behind the scenes, simply in the form of rumors until the end of 90s, they took a serious turn is the beginning of 2000. Now this was something hard to hide. His belonging to a questionable orientation was discussed in the parliament for the first time. Unlike anybody else, national deputy Ahad Abiyev made an open statement about this. VIDEO FOOTAGE FROM MILLI MEJLIS SHOWN. In the footage Ahed Abiyev is shown speaking, and then afterwards a disagreement breaks out between him and Ali Kerimli and other opposition parliamentarians. Ahed Abiyev (Parliamentarian, in a speech to parliament): “Azadlig” Newspaper ran one article, “The candidate with the best chance Ali Kerimov,” on its first page. As we know, as you know well, in 1999 Ali Kermiov was put in Bayil Prison for illegal possession of a weapon within the Republic of Azerbaijan. There he was kept in cell 106. This was a person who in the period of the Popular Front with the name, with the nickname “malish” (slang for infant), worked as an employee of the National Security Ministry… primary communist… communist who works today… people who smeared and arrested him… him in the Bayil prison… he was infringed upon in the cell #106, and they retaliated in accordance with…This is fact, no one can deny this. This type of impudent person today from abroad..., from abroad this person...., this is something legal. Ali Kerimli (AXCP Chairman, parliamentarian, stands up): Be quiet, what do you want from me? Careless of the careless. I will rip your head from your body, son of a male dog. Ahed Abiyev (parliamentarian, stands up): Ahh, son of dog, sit down disgraceful. You put forth your candidacy for president, go, sit in your place impudent, sit in your place shameless. Ahh, who are you? Because of what action, what work ….. for your imprisonment, for your “informing” under the name “malish.” Go see what Nariman Imranov is saying. Sit agent, you are sellout to the nation, you are a seller of our land, you are one who is defended by foreign “blues” (a rude slang term used to refer to homosexuals). Enough shameless impudent. What newspaper is this, what newspaper is this (Abiyev takes the newspaper into his hand), because of what authority? Sit in your place. Dishonorable dishonest. Look at my condition, “blue president,” only this was lacking in Azerbaijan. Narrator: The parliamentarian said he did not want to insult Ali Kerimov with this statement he gave five years ago. Simply he was wanted to say who was who. ‘Simply I wanted to draw to society’s attention what the source of all of Ali Kermov’s actions is, and these are facts,’ says Ahed Abiyev. Parliamentarian Ahed Abiyev: Up to my known speech, that is to say my speech in parliament, in some of the newspapers in Republic, in the public opinion,...both the press wrote and in public opinion there was already this notion in society, that is regarding Ali Kerimov’s past activities, actions, the corruption of him, I talked about Ali Karimov in the parliament (Milli Mejlis) openly and with these facts… I made a statement about who he is on the same day. The main issue there was that… I mean, an opinion was circulating about Ali Karimov in Azerbaijan… that is with those populist speeches, advantage seeking pro-opposition… supposedly under the name of the mother opposition created confusion in the society; like creating resistance among the population and disturbing stability in the republic. I… my opinion about him openly… as an Azerbaijani citizen, as a member of parliament… I mean this person, along with being a member of the parliament, impudently, now has a claim, an intention… he even says that he can be president. If, with this kind of indecent actions,… that is supposedly with the help of that support from abroad… I also there… in May of 1994 in accordance with the arrest of Ali Karimov because of the picket he conducted… he was taken to Bayil prison and held in cell 106… about his corruption in cell 106… and these signs demonstrated themselves in his action and behavior. For example, I’ll tell you about one fact. Back then former chief prosecutor Eldar Hasanov, who is currently working as an ambassador in Romania, said in his explanation that Ali Karimov was arrested and taken to Bayil prison then… when the investigation into those behaviors was conducted, he couldn’t hold himself and asked Eldar Hasanov to keep his disturbance a secret; ‘Keep this secret. I can be a bridge between the government and opposition, and certain… I can pass you information about processes in the opposition.’ Eldar Hasanov confirmed this in his speech. And if you remember, during the last elections… in the run-up, Rasul Guliyev was going to announce his candidacy for election; he was supposedly going to conduct a rally. In Simferepol Airport Rasul Guliyev said that “this scoundrel Ali Karimov deceived me as well. I am tired of buying powder and cream (He laughs).” He said he would conduct a meeting in the airport, say his words, but this one escaped and is hiding. I… his close companion Gulamhuseyn Alibeyli. I respect this person. We have worked in this parliament. As an intellectual, as a scientist, we are from the same region. Once in “Gorush” Café Gulamhuseyn Alibeyli said ‘Hey, this Ali Karimli is a scoundrel. He tricked us; we fell into his net.’ And the fact is with him in the past… either during AXCP, I mean you as well… there was regeneration period. Back then he betrayed his close friends and cheated them. And this person’s real internal world… trickster, double-faced, bootlicker, adventurer trying to trick some people with his populist speeches. It was clear that Rafael Allahverdiyev… If you remember, he used to go to former Chief of Baku City Executive Power Rafael Allahverdiyev, or send people to him and say, ‘We are going to conduct a rally, we’ll disturb stability in the city. And he was forced, let’s say he used to say, ‘It is the 10th of the month today. The rally will be on 20th.’ In the newspapers… in his… those newspapers, in “Azadlig” Newspaper they used to publish such an announcement. Then they used to send a messenger to Rafael Allahverdiyev. He said… For the sake of stability he usually agreed. They bought land, order, property, and took objects. And they took… Ali Karimov who sells those properties for high prices and lives in luxury (carouse) today. I invited him to TV to meet face to face. I mean hypocrisy in politics… let me say not dirty games, open, courageous, brave… this… it is possible to bring opinion differences to these issues on TV, in front of journalists. It is possible to express an opinion. And during public and political events, in the area of struggle politicians may fight, say their words and express their opinion and position. After that known statement, on numerous occasions I invited him to come on TV together any journalist he wanted, but he avoid this meeting and hid. That is this person, who after I said in parliament who he was, he never, not once, came back to parliament. He ran away embarrassed and hid.
Narrator: Several years after Ahad Abiyev, that is to say in summer of 2005, Ali Kerimov’s famous trip to Turkey and meeting of him at the airport by a group of homosexuals with flowers had serious resonance in Azerbaijan. Even the Turkish press wrote no small measure about this. And afterwards, the placing of Ali Kerimli on the list of famous gays on the Russian website gey.ru put all doubts to rest. The attack by sexual minorities against Muasir Musavat Party, which criticized Ali Karimov during elections, gives us a lot of information. VIDEO FOOTAGE OF A PROTEST OF GAYS IN FRONT OF THE OLD HEADQUARTERS FOR THE POPULAR FRONT PARTY IS SHOWN. The gay protesters hold placards that say “Leave Ali Kerimli alone” and “Don’t trample on our constitutional rights.” One chanting protester:
Come out, let’s see who violate the rights of homosexuals, come outside, come outside in front of us! Narrator: In general the things being said about Ali Kerimli’s actions are confirmed by scientific sources. Psychologist Dayanet Rzayev: When a person is born he is neither homosexual nor heterosexual. When a person is born they are basically bisexual. “To yest” (Russian word for “that is to say”) orientation is not determined in a person yet. That occurs later. For example heterosexual. For example a male child… and with this bringing up the human being changes and becomes, let’s suppose, heterosexual. But to view that as an illness is not entirely correct. From another side there are hereditary factors, but there is in general no scientific evidence regarding hereditary factors. It is true, there are several factors. I would say that first there are psychological factors here, there are physiological factors, and there are social factors. Social and psychological factors can be looked at together. But physiological factors must be approached separately. For example there are some people that, that, let’s say it like this, that have more of the opposite hormones, for example the opposite gender’s hormones. For example they are many men that have more female hormones. So you, this could also be shown in their physiology. It can be seen in the voice, for example, you see, there are some people, they say that they are have endrocrinepathy, for example concrete organs correspond more to female organs, than male organs. When we take psychological factors, or there are let’s say traumatic situation in childhood.... It shows itself in the future… for example, children become… traumatic situations. For example I had one patient, he was a big man, worked at a good place, in a good position, but he came to me with a problem. When we analyzed him, we saw that when he was little, a boy that was three or four years older than him had sexual relations with him. And after this, then this traumatic situation… correct, he was not a homosexual, but his behavior… and yes, it showed this at some point. Narrator:
It is no secret that Ali Kerimov was subjected to this type of aggression in a children’s colony when he was young. Even his own close brother-in-arms do not see a need to speak at length about Ali Kerimov’s orientation. AXC Supreme Council Former Member Ramiz Tagiyev: This is a clear matter (laughing). Former Minister of Interior Isgander Hamidov (secretly recorded video footage): For better or worse, there are 50 people in Azerbaijan that the ruling party always speaks negatively about. Within these 50 people, why they chose him. I have to research this. You know why? Because it was possible to say this about 49 people. About me they say his head is rotten, he is impatient, he beat someone. What do I know? They don’t say anything else, they don’t say he sold his country, he sold land. Therefore, I must research this. I have conducted a lot of research like this. He was imprisoned for 10 days. At that time in Bayil there was a place called the “children’s building,” children’s building, and he stayed in the children’s building. In the prison world, people staying in the children’s building, I am sorry, I will say it in prison slang, they are considered to be “padlo” (Russian word for disgraceful). Fahmin Hajiyev also stayed in the children’s building. For example if they wanted to take someone like me, for example I would cut my veins, I am not going. Mayis Safarli, Isgander Hamidov, Mubariz Safarli and Isa Gamber, they all slap some epithet on them. But for some reason they slapped him with this epithet. Therefore, I think like you, either he committed a mistake somewhere, or he doesn’t know it, or he sat down and drank tea with them. Or it could be that their democracy game was supposed to end like this. Narrator: In science, it was long ago proved that these types of people more resemble women, with their voices, the fact that hair doesn’t grow from their faces and through other physical indicators. And after these hormonal changes, it causes changes in a person’s character and personality too. Psychologist Dayanet Rzayev; I would say that jealousy is more strongly developed among homosexuals. Narrator: In the beginning Ali Kerimli called these types of famous incidents provocation. And he tried to convince everyone that he and his party had become a target because they were very strong. And there are other political parties like Musavat, ADP that are not weaker than him in the Azerbaijani opposition. I wonder why they are not struck by this kind of provocation. Maybe, a roaster put his head in the bush and is not aware of his tail. Former Minister of Interior Isgander Hamidov (secretly recorded video footage): I am looking for its base; I think we are human beings, we have physiological orientation… hair doesn’t grow on his face. Former AXC member Tahmasib Novruzov: Already when this fact is put forth, when Ali Kerimli keeps silent and gives no reaction to this, through this it is known that he is a representative of a sexual minority. Whether you want it or not, having a representative of a sexual minority conduct a struggle for the government, leading a political body, this is a matter that damages our image as one nation. Never mind, I am returning to our previous conversation, that Azerbaijan Popular Front is an organ that has greatly served in Azerbaijan history, served exceptionally, that he leads a party that arose from the basis of one organization. Before I said… When the Freedom Movement Union was created we expressed our opinion, said what we had to say. We even openly told Ali Kerimli, ‘You must leave the party’s leadership. You must be distanced from political activity. Because this disgraceful illness that has arisen in you …. everyone knows. Not just in Azerbaijan, it is already known in foreign countries. And to have a person like this today in Azerbaijan lead a serious organization, a political organization, this fact damages the image of all of the people of Azerbaijan. AXC Supreme Council former member Ramiz Tagiyev: Politics is a real science, the profession of real men. Politics is that I serve my nation with my way of thinking, serve the people, serve honesty and truthfully. Of course this is a man’s politics. And of course all men cannot do this. Already, I don’t have one particle of hope that Ali Kerimli can do this type of politics or that he may change someday. Narrator: Scientific research and examination records prove that the actions of these kinds of people are like the illness they have. No action is unjustifiable for them. They can use people like money without even sighing. And they can enter into an agreement with Satan to reach their goals. You saw this in the example of Ruslan Bashirli. Video footage of Ruslan Bashirli is shown
Yeni Fikir Youth Movement Ruslan Bashirli: In Azerbaijan there are plenty of areas where money should be earned. Azerbaijan’s oil industry... there is a strong oil industry. I say again there is tourism. I understand for you oil is fundamental. We will change this country, and after it changes you will be able to work in our country like the country’s citizens. Narrator: Ali Kerimov and the count of his victims won’t end with naive young adults like the brothers Ganimet and Mirza Sakit, Ruslan Bashirli and Agil Khalil. And as long as this insidious policy continues, it cannot be ruled out that there won’t be fresh victims. But in addition to his words to parliament five years ago, parliamentarian Ahad Abiyev grabs the parents of the young people around Ali Kerimli. Parliamentarian Ahad Abiyev: They must be joyful. Their child has not died, it lives. Because in a moment like this, in a time like this, Ali Kerimov will even sacrifice them, kill them in the night, get up the next morning and infuriate the parents by saying look the government killed them, the government brought things to this point. That is to say Ali Kerimov will do anything and wants to do anything to violate today’s stability, to damage today’s government and nation. What is my request from these parents? Those concrete young adults. Ali Kerimli has drawn them to his side and made promises. Time showed that he in fact drew these certain adventurers, youth into his trap. He tricks them and promises them a position. And he will come to the government… he will be someday… and a post to everyone…And I want to ask those parents to think deeply and to not let their children follow the same way as some of the journalists did and are currently in prison because of Ali Karimov’s trap. They, with openness and reality,… I, as a national deputy, want to say openly… all the time in Milli Mejlis… I am ready to conduct meetings with them, I mean we have a reception room. Wherever they want, in Public TV, I am not saying on government TV. Let’s have a meeting on private TV, where ever they want… Even to the parents… I can show them the real truth, and the strong facts I have with openness. Shown on Screen: “Victims of Hypocrisy”
(pictures of Abulfez Elchibey, Ramiz Tagiyev, Tahmasib Novruzov and a gathering of the 102 people that created the Azerbaijan Popular Front Movement) Narrator:
Victims of Hypocrisy, Abulfez Elchibey and the 102 people that created that Azerbaijan Popular Front Movement Shown on Screen: “Who is next?”
(pictures of Sakit Zahidov, Mushfig Huseynov, Ruslan Bashirli and Ganimet Zahid. Also there is one empty space with a question mark on it) Narrator:
Who is next?
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