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Azerbaijan criminalizes defamation of president on Internet

Xinhua, November 30, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Azerbaijani parliament on Wednesday approved amended legislation that criminalize the defamation of the country's president on the Internet.

Official media reported that the legislation allows the prosecution of activists who post insulting remarks against President Ilham Aliyev.

The amendments to the Criminal Code will impose fines of up to 1,000 manats (580 U.S. dollars) and imprisonment of up to two years for those committing online defamation of the country's top leader.

Anonymous online offensiveness was also punishable with a fine of up to 1,500 manats (870 dollars), 360-480 hours' community service, two years' correctional labor or one year in jail.

In May 2013, the parliament passed amendments imposing fines of up to 1,000 manats and prison terms of up to three years for posting derogatory or demeaning texts on the Internet. President Aliyev signed the bill in the following month. Endi