Back on November 9, 2020, during the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the BBC sat down with Azeri President Ilham Aliyev. Things went smoothly until the BBJ journalist asked if Armenians living in Azerbaijan would have “the full range of human rights which people here in Azerbaijan do not have? Will they have a fully free media? Will they have an opposition that’s allowed to raise its voice? Will they be allowed to have the things that people here in Azerbaijan do not have?”
Aliyev struck back. First he simply asserted that Azeris have free speech, free media, free political activity, etc. “How can you say that we don’t have free media? This is a biased approach, an attempt to create a perception in the western audiences about our country.”
Then he went on the offensive: “But if you ask this question, can I ask you one? How can you explain the treatment of Mr. Assange?”
BBC: But we’re not here to discuss that.
Aliyev: Excuse me — saying that the Azeris don’t have free press, then let’s talk about Assange. How many years? And for what? For journalistic activity. You can’t keep that person hostage, actually killing him, morally and physically. You did it, not us. And now he is in prison. You have no moral right to talk about free media when you do these things.
BBC: Returning to the conflict...
Aliyev: Yes, returning to the conflict. Because this is not what you like. You like only to accuse and attack. But look in the mirror! Before coming and lecturing us, in your question, accusing me. It’s not a question, it’s an accusation. You talk like a prosecutor. Why? If you are so democratic and objective, why do you keep Assange in prison? For what? For journalistic activity.
