Azerbaijan should release all jailed journalists and activists
EFJ adds its voice to the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights’s call for the release of journalists and civil society activists imprisoned in Azerbaijan for their legitimate work.
Azerbaijan: Silencing media ahead of the presidential elections
Since the Azerbaijani government began its campaign of intimidation on 20 November 2023, at least 13 journalists have been arrested, 11 of whom are still behind bars.
Azerbaijan: Six journalists arrested in two weeks
The hunt for journalists from the few remaining independent media operating in Azerbaijan continues.
Hitmen sent to kill Azerbaijani blogger in France
“Everything seems to indicate that this was yet another attempt to murder Mahammad Mirzali … A hit squad was sent from abroad to target a blogger who was given political asylum in France because of his criticism of Ilham Aliyev. This case must be addressed at the highest state level.” – RSF
Azerbaijan: Journalist and her daughter threatened over trial coverage
On 8 May, freelance journalist Ayten Mammadova was threatened by a knife-wielding man in the elevator of her apartment block. The man demanded that she stop writing about a trial she was covering, and warned that if she didn’t he would ‘deal’ with her daughter.
Azerbaijan: Journalist reports assault by official and is jailed
Zaur Gambarov was sentenced to three and a half years in prison on 28 February over an altercation at a branch of the social security department, where he had gone on 4 May 2020 to investigate a complaint.
Azerbaijani journalist Arzu Geybulla targeted in online harassment campaign
Geybulla has been unjustly accused of betraying her country for taking a measured and journalistic stance in the face of the recent armed conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Azerbaijan: Journalist Polad Aslanov sentenced to 16 years on treason charges
In June 2019 Aslanov, his wife and daughter were detained at a border crossing as they attempted to enter Iran for a friend’s wedding. Although his wife and daughter were later released, Aslanov was charged with high treason for allegedly selling state secrets to Iran.
Armenia and Azerbaijan must protect journalists during Nagorno Karabakh conflict
Press groups call on both states to abide by their obligations under International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law to protect journalists in situations of conflict and tension.
Armenia: Martial law undermines press freedom
The recently amended martial law prohibits the publication of reports criticising the actions of the government, officials and local bodies. It also gives increased power to the police to hand out fines, freeze assets and request removal of content from media outlets.
“Doctors, nurses and facts are lifesavers”: Three women journalists on press freedom during COVID-19
Exiled journalists from Azerbaijan, Bahrain and Yemen speak to ICORN about the challenges of reporting the truth when governments are using the pandemic to justify surveillance and impose harder restrictions on the press.
COVID-19: Azerbaijan should end attacks on free expression and release political prisoners
IRFS calls on the Azerbaijani authorities to end their crackdown on critics under the guise of protecting public safety, and for approximately 120 political prisoners to be released in order to protect their health.
Azerbaijan: Journalist Afgan Mukhtarli freed after nearly three years
In May 2017, Mukhtarli was abducted in Georgia and transported to Azerbaijan, where he was sentenced to six years in prison on dubious charges in 2018. A judge ordered his early release on 17 March 2020.
Azerbaijan: Journalists harassed, arrested, beaten while covering election protests
At least 18 journalists were obstructed and/or physically attacked in the course of their reporting in Baku after Azerbaijan’s snap parliamentary elections on 9 February. Khadija Ismayilova was one of those who were beaten and arrested.