23:48, 7 April 2025

RwB demand release of Sevindj Vagifgyzy

Sevindj Vagifgyzy. Photo: Meydan TV https://www.meydan.tv

The international organization “Reporters without Borders” (RwB) has called on the Azerbaijani authorities to stop the criminal prosecution of the editor-in-chief of the “Abzas Media” and her colleagues.

On March 11, Sevindj Vagifgyzy, the editor-in-chief of the “Abzas Media”, and Elnara Gasymova, a reporter for this outlet, testified in court. They claimed the real reason for their arrest was in their investigations of corruption among officials and their family members.

Six “Abzas Media” employees were arrested on charges of currency smuggling. They were later additionally charged with economic crimes.

The RwB have condemned the criminal prosecution of Sevindj Vagifgyzy, the “Meydan” TV has reported. The criminal prosecution of Vagifgyzy is "an unfair and politically motivated process," states the website of the RwB.

Sevindj Vagifgyzy "embodies the dignity, hope and resilience of independent journalism in the face of repressions," Jeanne Cavelier. The RwB’s head for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, has stated.

In 2024, Azerbaijan faced intensified crackdowns on journalists, human rights defenders and believers.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on April 5, 2025 at 06:46 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Source: Caucasian Knot