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Azerbaijani journalist sacked for criticism against US

27 December 2011 11:44 (UTC +04:00)

Mammadli told APA that he was appointed to this post on December 15 and dismissed on December 23. â€œI won the competitive tender early December in the IREXâ€™ community data center in Guba and then attended the training organized by the IREX Office in Baku on December 16. Later I was informed about my dismissal on December 23 from the Baku office. But they didnâ€™t explain the reasons of dismissalâ€.

Mammadli said he learned the reasons of his dismissal from Fargani Aliyev, who introduced himself as one of the IREX donors and head of the community data centerâ€™s partner organization: â€œFargani Aliyev told me that I was dismissed for my article â€œComposition of teachersâ€ in north of Azerbaijan was changedâ€ published on January 30, 2011 on â€œBolgexeberâ€ portal.

Mammadli said he seriously criticized the activity of some representatives of US Peace Corps in northern region of Azerbaijan and mentioned the name of someone Dereck.

Mammadli said that it was shame for the international organization, which represents US and speaks about the democracy and freedom of speech, to take such position. â€œThe question is not about me. US always criticize Azerbaijan for oppressing journalists and freedom of speech, dismissal of journalists for their faith. Why I am forbidden to criticize US? Then US statements on freedom of speech are meant for the populace and used only as the mean of pressure protecting the political goals. I consider that the government, opposition and people of Azerbaijan should draw a conclusion from all of theseâ€.

Head of ABC School of Education, Development and Leadership Fargani Aliyev told APA that he was aware of the article entitled â€œComposition of teachers in north of Azerbaijan was changedâ€ written by Mammadli, but said he was dismissed for other reason.
â€œHe could be dismissed because he fails to cope with his task. Being a partner, we have assumed some expenses of the Khachmaz office. To tell the truth, I do not know whether he was dismissed or not. If IREX dismissed Jamil Mammadli, this is because he can not cope with his task. When he came to our center, I asked him what computer programs he knew. He said he can only use Word. I told him that it is important for him to know other programs, because he will train the representatives of the community. I do not know what he says now.â€
Representative of IREX in Azerbaijan Ulviyya Mammadova advised to speak to the organizationâ€™s lawyer.

The lawyer of the organization Alasgar Mammadli told APA that IREX did not have any contract with Jamil Mammadli.
â€œWe did not have any contract with him. We wanted to employ an administrator. Preliminary investigation was carried out, management skills were checked. Jamil Mammadli had a probation period for a week, we came to the conclusion that he is not fit for our criteria,â€ he said.

Alasgar Mammadli refuted the reports that Jamil Mammadli was dismissed due to his article.
â€œI have no information about that article. Even if he wrote such an article, we cooperated with him after that article. If any labor contract had been signed with him, and then he had been dismissed, there could be a true word in what he says,â€ he said.

Alasgar Mammadli said IREX supports freedom of speech and expression.
â€œThe aim of our activity is the development of media, freedom of journalists. We do not have contacts with the US Peace Corps in order to like or dislike any negative or positive article about them...â€ he said.