Strasbourg, 18/12/2009 (Agence Europe) - In a resolution adopted on Thursday 17 December 2009, the European Parliament regrets the fact that in an unfair trial in Azerbaijan, bloggers Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade were given heavy prison sentences on 11 November 2009. The MEPs call for the two to be released immediately. They had been using social networks like YouTube, Facebook and Twitter to comment on the political situation in Azerbaijan and criticise the country's government. The two are calling for a fair and open retrial based on an unbiased police investigation and respecting international standards. The EP has noted a general deterioration of freedom of the press in Azerbaijan and regrets the government's habit of arresting, putting on trial and imprisoning opposition journalists, accusing them of a range of crimes. A year ago, the BBC, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and other foreign media were banned from broadcasting on FM, thereby restricting media pluralism. The EP urges the Azerbaijan authorities to increase their efforts and fully implement the Action Plan signed under the EU's Neighbourhood Policy and urges the European Commission to continue to help the country. (A.B. trans fl)