Azerbaijan’s Last Independent News Service to Stop Work
This article is for subscribers only.
Azerbaijan’s Turan agency, the country’s only remaining independent news service, said it’s suspending operations from Sept. 1 after its director was detained on tax evasion charges and its bank accounts frozen.
Mehman Aliyev was held by police late Thursday after tax officials summoned him for questioning, defense lawyer Fuad Agayev said by phone. Baku’s Yasamal district court on Friday ordered him to remain in custody for three months pending trial on charges of illegal entrepreneurship, tax evasion and abuse of office, Agayev said.