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Louis Robertson: Elections will not be democratic if Imedi is not resumed

06 December 2007 10:14 (UTC +04:00)

-What do you think caused Imediâ€™s closure?
-The government accuses us of coup. This is the only and groundless pretext of the government. Armed men came to the studio and suspended the broadcasting, and we were obliged to leave the studio. Negotiations are being carried with the government on continuing Imediâ€™s broadcasting. We were told that everything depends on the courtâ€™s decision. The court should lift the arrest, so that we can restart broadcasting. We can not enter the office of Imedi, until this decision is passed. On the other hand, we can not continue broadcasting tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, even if we are allowed, because removing the damages will take time. Our equipment was damaged and some are quite out of order. The worst thing is that we do not know what happened in the studio after we left.
-What does the government demand from Imedi, or what are the TV channelâ€™s commitments if the broadcasting is resumed?
-It is difficult to answer, because the government does not know what to demand from us. The main thing is that the authorities intend to hamper news program and future monitoring. So, this is not only Imediâ€™s problem.
-It means that the government is afraid of Imediâ€™s restoring broadcasting especially during the pre-election campaign.
- There are precious few days left before the end of the pre-election campaign. We unanimously consider the elections will not be democratic if Imedi is not resumed. /APA/