CPJ condemns verdict to Afghan Sadygov

The authorities of Azerbaijan should release Afghan Sadygov, the head of the "Azel.tv" website, and stop prosecuting journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists says.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported the General Prosecutor's Office of Azerbaijan reported that Afghan Sadygov had been accused of extortion. The spouse of Afghan Sadygov believes her husband is being prosecuted for his journalistic activities, and the journalist himself has called the charge against him the defamation. On November 3, a court sentenced Afghan Sadygov to 7 years of imprisonment. The journalist went on a hunger strike again to protest against the verdict.

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemned the verdict to Afghan Sadygov and noted that he had earlier been prosecuted "for his publications."

While commenting on the Afghan Sadygov's hunger strike, Elshan Gasanov, the coordinator of the Union "For Freedom of Political Prisoners", noted that "there were cases in Azerbaijan when such actions helped to achieve a goal."

"Two years ago, a new criminal case against blogger Mekhman Guseinov was closed after his hunger strike. After almost 20 days of his hunger strike, opposition politician Tofig Yagublu was released from custody. However, they are well-known persons. Mekhman Guseinov is a popular blogger, and Tofig Yagublu is a member of the council of the opposition 'National Council'. They had massive support ... There is a war now, and public opinion is focused on the hostilities, while the topic of human rights has receded into the background," Elshan Gasanov said.