RWB announces new wave of persecution of journalists in Azerbaijan

In Azerbaijan, cases of persecution of journalists for criticizing the authorities have become more frequent, announces the international organization "Reporters Without Borders" (RWB). Rights defenders have called on the international community not to stand aside to stop the repression against the media.

While the world was preparing to celebrate the New Year, the persecution of journalists again takes place in Azerbaijan, the RWB states.

Just several days after journalist Khadija Ismayilova was sentenced to an extremely high fine, the Azerbaijani authorities filed new charges against blogger Mekhman Guseinov and started a trial in the case against Anar Mamedov, the editor-in-chief of the "criminalaz.com". Besides, Mustafa Gadjibeilu, an editor of the "bastainfo.com" website, was accused of public calls against the state.

"Azerbaijan took the 163rd place out of 180 in the 2018 media freedom rating prepared by the RWB. The main critical media are silenced, independent news websites are blocked, and at least ten journalists are imprisoned," the RWB reports on its website.

The persecution of journalists for covering socially significant events is unacceptable, believes media law expert Alesker Mamedli. According to him, the accusations of "anti-state calls" cannot be based on arbitrary interpretations.