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Azeri President Immune

BAKU, Azerbaijan — The parliament of Azerbaijan has overwhelmingly granted the president and his wife lifetime immunity from criminal prosecution for any acts committed while in office.

Government opponents have frequently accused President Ilham Aliyev and his family of using power to amass huge riches.

Reporters pursuing such allegations have routinely faced harassment from the authoritarian government.

Parliament deputy Ali Huseynov said the legislation approved Tuesday should be deemed part of the country's democratic development.

(AP)

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