29/08/2017 (Agence Europe) – On Monday 28 August, the spokesperson for the European External Action Service, Maja Kocijancic, stressed the EU's concerns regarding the freedom of the media in Azerbaijan following the arrest of the director of the press agency Turan, Mehman Aliyev, on alleged tax evasion and abuse of authority. This development comes after a decision taken by a Baku court on 12 May to permanently block five online media outlets, she told the press. She reiterated the importance of “free, diverse and independent media in modern and democratic societies”. “Without freedom of expression and freedom of the media, an informed, active and engaged citizenry is impossible”, she warned, adding that the EU expects Baku to fulfil its international commitments as a party to the European Convention on Human Rights and its Article 10 on the right to freedom of expression and information. (CG)