Why journalists were refused to enter Azerbaijan

The Azerbaijani government has refused to issue accreditation to journalists of the British “The Guardian” for the European games, the official opening of which will take place today, reports sports.ru. Other media companies and human rights organizations have also been refused in the accreditation. At the initial stage of organizing the sports event the Azerbaijani government was criticized for violations of freedom of speech, including by “The Guardian”. In a statement, the European Olympic Committee (EOC) said that the ban on journalists was «totally contrary to the spirit of sport.» It is expected that the EOC President Patrick Hickey will hold talks in Baku with officials of the country on this issue.