CPJ Demands Release of Khadija Ismailova

Based in New York, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has condemned the Azerbaijani prosecutor’s proposal to sentence the journalist Khadija Ismailova to 9 years in prison. CPJ called the Ismailova trial "a farce of justice." The organization called on the government of Azerbaijan to remove all charges against Ismailova.

"We urge the international partners of Azerbaijan to condition relations with this repressive country with the release of Khadija Ismailova and all other imprisoned journalists," the CPJ program coordinator for Europe and Central Asia said.

Recall that Ismailova is charged under articles 125 of the Criminal Code (incitement to suicide), 179.3.2 (misappropriation and embezzlement on a large scale), 192.2.2 (illegal business with extraction of large income) 213.1 (tax evasion) and 308.2 (abuse of power resulting in grave consequences).

Ismailova denies the charges and says they are politically motivated.

Amnesty International has acknowledged the journalist "a prisoner of conscience." The US, the EU, international media and human rights organizations have repeatedly called for Ismailova’s release. -06D--