International NGOs condemn campaign against journalist Sevinc Osmanqizi

Baku / 29.04.19 / Turan: Amnesty International human rights organization condemned the smear campaign launched in the pro-government media of Azerbaijan against journalist Sevinc Osmanqizi. "New despicable campaign to smear an independent journalist in Azerbaijan! After broadcasting Sevinc Osmanqizi's illegally tapped phone conversations, government -controlled Real TV now threatens her of releasing intimate footage if she does not stop her work.

The illegal harassment of Sevinc Osmanqizi must end immediately and those responsible must be held accountable," the organization said in a statement posted on its Facebook page.

The "disgusting campaign" aimed at denigrating an independent journalist in Azerbaijan was also condemned by the international organization Reporters without Borders. She indicated that Real TV controlled by the government, after the publication of the journalist's telephone conversations, is now blackmailing her with the spread of intimate shots. Osmanqizi herself stated in her video message that she would not give in to any blackmail and threats and continue her work.

Three weeks ago, Real TV channel broadcast a recording of the wiretap of Sevinc Osmanqizi"s conversation with Chingiz Sultansoy, other journalists living in exile in Germany. The conversation in which the journalists discussed the creative work of the TV channel presented it as a discussion of the plans of "anti-state activity" for "with the money of" Western donors." The journalist lives in the United States and in recent years Osmanqizi is the presenter of the Internet channel founded by her. -06D--