Journalist’s vehicle set on fire, possibly in retaliation for critical reports
(IRFS/IFEX) – On the night of 24 April 2008, a vehicle belonging to military affairs journalist Uzeyir Jafarov was set on fire. Jafarov, who used to work for the now shuttered “Gundalik Azerbayjan” newspaper, informed IRFS about the incident, saying “it occurred in the yard of the building I live in, in Baku’s micro-district #6. […]
Defence ministry behind soldier’s lawsuit against newspaper over article about bribe, says editor
(IRFS/IFEX) – The “Gundalik Baki” newspaper is facing a lawsuit filed by soldier Mursalov Fardi, who serves in the Defense Ministry Apartment Exploitation Service Unit. The soldier claims that a newspaper article entitled “Mehman Hajaliyev’s Illegal Actions” contained libelous information about him. Fardi and his parents were reportedly concerned after reading the article and decided […]
Journalist threatened, harassed for sending inquiry to Ministry of Agriculture office
(IRFS/IFEX) – On 21 April 2008, “Bizim Yol” newspaper correspondent Natig Adilov received a threat by telephone from an unidentified person, with regard to an inquiry he had submitted to a government office. He received a second threatening call regarding the same matter on 22 April. The journalist told IRFS that he sent an inquiry […]
Persecuted journalist beaten during interrogation, remains defiant: “they cannot silence me”
(IRFS/IFEX) – The investigation into the 13 March 2008 stabbing of “Azadlig” newspaper employee Agil Khalil has turned against him. Using physical and psychological abuse, the Chief Prosecutor’s Department to Investigate Serious Crimes took a statement from Khalil in which, under duress, he effectively slandered himself. Meanwhile, television channels under the control of the government […]
Recently assaulted journalist target of dangerous smear campaign; IRFS suspects silencing of newspaper intended
(IRFS/IFEX) – On 7 April 2008, “Azadlig” newspaper correspondent Agil Khalil became the target of a nationwide negative public relations campaign that is likely to endanger his life. This development appears to be the continuation of a series of attacks on the journalist related to his work. At approximately 6:00 p.m. (local time), Azerbaijan’s state […]
Imprisoned editor starts hunger strike to protest jailing of journalists
(IRFS/IFEX) – On 26 March 2008, Eynulla Fatullayev, imprisoned editor-in-chief of the “Realny Azerbayjan” and “Gundalik Azerbayjan” newspapers, began a hunger strike. IRFS was informed of this development by Fatullayev’s father, Emin Fatullayev, who visited his son in prison on 25 March, at which time his son told him of his intentions. “Eynulla told me […]
Two journalists threatened over their work
(IRFS/IFEX) – IRFS is concerned about two recent, separate incidences of journalists receiving threats related to their work. On 14 March 2008, an unidentified person telephoned “Yeni Musavat” newspaper’s editorial office and made threatening remarks about journalist Sabuhi Mammadli. “My coworker answered the phone that day,” Mammadli told IRFS. “The person introduced himself as an […]
Journalist, previously beaten over article on logging, stabbed in chest
(IRFS/IFEX) – On 13 March 2008, at 7:50 p.m. (local time), “Azadlig” newspaper correspondent Agil Khalil was stabbed in the chest as he was leaving the Azerbaijan Publishing House where his office is located. “Azadlig” director Azer Ahmedov, whom Khalil immediately called after he was stabbed, told IRFS that four people were involved in the […]
“Azadlig” newspaper editor-in-chief sentenced at secret hearing to four years in prison for alleged “hooliganism”
(IRFS/IFEX) – IRFS condemns Yasamal District Court Judge Sudaba Mammedova’s decision to imprison “Azadlig” newspaper editor-in-chief Ganimat Zahid for four years. On 7 March 2008, Mammedova convicted Zahid under articles 127.2.3 and 221 – hooliganism and intentional inflicting of minor bodily harm – for his involvement in an altercation which Zahid and his lawyers say […]
Journalist assaulted while investigating environmental destruction
(IRFS/IFEX) – IRFS is concerned about the beating and alleged attempt to kill “Azadlig” newspaper correspondent Agil Khalil. On 22 February 2008, at 5:00 p.m. (local time), Khalil went to the Zeytun Baglari (Olive Gardens), located in Baku’s Binagedi district, after receiving a tip that trees were being cut down and burned there. The journalist […]
Journalist receives death threats following publication referring to high-ranking officials’ crimes
(IRFS/IFEX) – “Nota Bene” newspaper journalist Faramaz Allahverdiyev (Novruzoglu), who was recently released from prison on a presidential pardon, has now received death threats related to his writing. “On 10, 11, 12, and 13 February (2008) I received calls to my mobile phone from hidden numbers,” Allahverdiyev told IRFS. “The calls came from different people; […]
CAPSULE REPORT: “Freedom of expression is in the worst state ever,” says IRFS
(IRFS/IFEX) – The following is an IRFS letter to OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Finnish Foreign Minister Ikka Kanerva: 1 February 2008 Baku, Azerbaijan OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Foreign Minister of Finland Mr. Ikka Kanerva, Over the last four years, the freedom of expression and human rights situations have deteriorated on an almost daily basis in Azerbaijan. At present, […]
Newspaper editor receives barrage of telephoned death threats
(IRFS/IFEX) – IRFS is extremely concerned about the recent death threats that have been made against “Gundalik Azerbayjan” editor Uzeir Jafarov. Jafarov told the IRFS that, on the afternoon of 28 January 2008, he received over 300 calls to his mobile phone in which a man repeatedly told him: “I am going to destroy you” […]
Journalist given six-year prison sentence on spurious charges, says IRFS
(IRFS/IFEX) – IRFS condemns Azerbaijan’s government for the decision adopted 21 January 2008 against “Bizim Yol” newspaper correspondent Mushfig Huseynov. In the Grave Crimes Court, Judge Jamal Ramazanov sentenced Huseynov to six years of imprisonment on the basis of Article 311 of the Criminal Code (accepting a bribe). Huseynov is also forbidden from working as […]
Newspaper editor convicted of slander, sentenced to corrective labour; television cameraman attacked, injured for filming electricity official
(IRFS/IFEX) – On 17 January 2008, the Narimanov District Court, presided over by Judge Sevinj Aliyeva, convicted Avaz Zeynalli, the editor-in-chief of “Khural” newspaper, of slander, sentencing him to 1.6 years of corrective labour. He must also pay 15 percent of his salary to the state during the period of his sentence. The director of […]
Journalist harassed after writing book about former president
(IRFS/IFEX) – The following is an IRFS press release: Journalist faces pressure over book Freelance journalist Anar Mahmudoglu told the Institute for Reporter Freedom and Safety that he has been facing harassment ever since publication of his book “Lifetime Struggle”. Mahmudoglu said, “Because I reflect on the negative nuances as well as positive nuances of […]