Amnesty International Urges Georgia to Block Extradition of Azerbaijani Journalist
Amnesty International Urges Georgia to Block Extradition of Azerbaijani Journalist
Amnesty International has called on the Georgian authorities to halt the extradition of Azerbaijani journalist Afghan Sadigov, who was detained on August 3 and placed in a deportation prison in Georgia. Denis Krivosheev, Deputy Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia at Amnesty International, stated that the Georgian government must respect its international obligations and the principle of non-refoulement by preventing Sadigov’s extradition to Azerbaijan.
Krivosheev emphasized that extraditing Sadigov would expose him to a significant risk of severe human rights abuses, including torture, arbitrary detention, and an unfair trial. He described Sadigov’s case as part of a broader trend toward the suppression of independent media in Azerbaijan, which has intensified ahead of COP 29.
Amnesty International also urged Azerbaijani authorities to cease politically motivated actions against journalists and critics, demanding the immediate release of individuals imprisoned solely for exercising their freedom of expression.
Sadigov, editor-in-chief of Azel.TV, has been residing in Georgia since December 2023. He was sentenced to seven years in prison in May 2020 on charges of "extortion," which Amnesty International and other observers have deemed politically motivated and marred by a lack of fair trial guarantees. Although he was pardoned in May 2023, Sadigov continued to face threats from Azerbaijani authorities, prompting his departure from Azerbaijan. Recently, Georgian authorities banned him from traveling to Turkey, restricting his movement to Azerbaijan, where a new criminal case has been opened against him on similar charges. Sadigov's family claims these charges are fabricated as retaliation for his critical journalism.
Amnesty International has highlighted that independent journalists, activists, and human rights defenders have increasingly been targeted with trumped-up charges in the lead-up to COP 29. Sadigov’s detention in Georgia comes as a Georgian court has placed him in custody while awaiting a final decision on his extradition.
Politics
-
The Ministry of Health of Azerbaijan has called on the public to get vaccinated against the flu. According to the announcement, to strengthen preventive and anti-epidemic measures against influenza and ARVI (acute respiratory viral infections), safe and high-quality seasonal flu vaccines produced by “Abbott” have been imported into the country. Vaccination will begin on September 10, 2024.
-
At the end of last week, during an examination in the detention center, kidney stones were discovered in Alesker Mamedli, the founder of “Toplum TV”, according to his brother Nasimi Mamedli, as reported by Turan. “The expansion of the pancreas remains stable. A follow-up examination by a private doctor revealed no further increase in the thyroid nodules, which measure 23.5 mm and 15 mm. However, Alesker continues to suffer from shortness of breath and headaches. His vision has deteriorated, and kidney stones have been found in his left kidney,” his brother stated.
-
The Iranian Embassy in Armenia reports that Iranian Ambassador Mehdi Sobkhani met with Armenian Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan to reiterate Iran's objections to the opening of the Zangezur Corridor. During the meeting, the ambassador emphasized Iran's stance on maintaining international borders and rejecting any geopolitical changes, as well as supporting the territorial integrity of its neighbors, according to the embassy's statement.
-
Armenia and Azerbaijan have fully agreed on 13 out of 16 Articles of the draft peace treaty, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan during a joint briefing with the Luxembourg Foreign Minister in Yerevan.
Həbsxanada aclıq edən Fazil Qasımov və Famil Xəlilovdan nə xəbər var? – Rüfət Səfərov Çətin sualda
News Line
-
- Social,
- 13:12
- 281
Leave a review