The Committee to Protect Journalists called on Azerbaijani authorities to end their crackdown on the press after a five-year sentence was handed to reporter Seymour Hazi. The pre-trial detention of investigative reporter Khadija Ismayilova was also extended this week, news reports said.
"We do not agree with the statement of the Azerbaijani authorities that journalists are not arrested for their professional activities.
We invite Ilham Aliyev to stop the repression of criticism, as well as free Seymour Hazy, Khadija Ismailova and other imprisoned journalists," the statement of the Committee says.
Yesterday the Absheron court convicted the journalist Seymour Hazi to 5 years in prison for hooliganism. He is a member of the Popular Front Party and employee of the Internet TV Azerbaijan Hour translated from the Turkish territory.
With regard to the journalist Khadija Ismayilova on January 27 Sabail Court extended the arrest by 1 month and 19 days. She was arrested on December 5, 2014 on trumped-up charges of incitement to suicide. -16D04-
Politics
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The President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has expressed condolences to the President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, following the tragic incident in the city of Magdeburg. "We are deeply shocked by the news of the deaths and injuries resulting from the tragic incident that took place at the Christmas market in Magdeburg," the message reads.
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By the order of the head of state, Vusal Aslanov has been appointed Chairman of the Baku Metro CJSC.
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Ilhamiz Guliyev, an activist convicted on drug-related charges, has complained about the poor conditions at the Penitentiary Complex in Umbaki, his relatives reported to the Turan news agency.
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Early on December 21, 8 Ukrainian drones attacked the city of Kazan. The strikes targeted an industrial enterprise and residential buildings. No information about casualties has been reported.
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