Azerbaijani novelist stripped of pension, 'people's writer' title
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 7 February 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Azerbaijani novelist stripped of pension, 'people's writer' title, 7 February 2013, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/512235c9a.html [accessed 24 May 2013] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
February 07, 2013
By RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service
Akram Aylisli
BAKU – Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has stripped a prominent novelist of the title of "People's Writer," as well as his presidentially awarded pension.
Azerbaijani media reported on February 7 that the actions were taken against Akram Aylisli because of his novel "Stone Dreams," which was printed in a popular Russian magazine last year.
The novel describes sensitive issues in relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
It focuses on Nagorno-Karabakh, the mostly Armenian-populated region that broke away from Azerbaijan in the early 1990s.
Azerbaijani media quoted Aliyev's decree, which said Aylisli was punished "for distorting facts in Azerbaijani history and insulting the feelings of Azerbaijani people."
Aylisli told RFE/RL the presidential decision was "unexpected" because his title and pension were awarded to him for his other works in the past.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
