Convicted Journalist Thanks for International Award

Jailed on trumped-up charges, the columnist of the newspaper Azadlig Seymour Hazy expressed his gratitude to the international organizations that awarded him the Herd Buzerius Prize for 2016.

In his address, he wrote: "This prize is applause for a fighter leading decisive struggle at all costs worldwide. The name of this soldier is the freedom of speech. This award is not only for the fighters for freedom of expression, but also an indicator of responsibility for our future.

I am especially grateful to those who nominated me for this award. Let free thought never go to prison."

Recall that the German Fund ZEIT-Stiftung and Norwegian Fritt Ord Foundation announced the names of winners of the Herd Buzerius Prize for 2016. An independent jury selected the winners from among 40 nominees.

This award is traditionally given to journalists and the media in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union for a significant contribution to the democratic journalism.

Among the winners of this year there is Seymour Hazy – a columnist of the newspaper Azadlig and the TV program Azerbaijan Hour broadcasting from Europe. Convicted on false charges, Seymour Hazy serves a prison sentence of 5 years and is recognized a prisoner of conscience by the international community.

This prize has been awarded for more than 10 years. The prized was awarded to the following representatives of Azerbaijan in different years: Turan IA, the newspaper Azadlig, the Institute for Reporters Freedom and Safety, as well as the journalists Rauf Mirkadyrov, Shahvalad Chobanoglu, Natig Javadli, Zamin Haji, Khadija Ismayilova, and Tahmina Taghizadeh. -02D-