IRFS: The scale of attacks on the media grows

Attacks on freedom of media in Azerbaijan reached an unprecedented scale, reads the statement of the Institute of Reporters Freedom and Safety (IRFS). Touching upon the latest blackmail, threats and physical intimidation of journalists, IRFS regards it as part of the campaign on the eve of the presidential election.

The pressure on the media is on the threshold of the discussion in the UN, a Universal Human Rights Report in Azerbaijan and on the eve of World Press Freedom Day.

The statement gives the facts of pressure on journalists. On April 19, Internet TV "Ses" published telephone conversations of the employee "Radio Liberty" Yafez Hasanov with residents of the NAR to discredit him.

On April 25, a pro-government website posted fabricated porn videos to blacken the journalist Khadija Ismayilova; she has investigated the corruption of the President Aliyev’s family.

On April 26, the charge against the arrested columnist of "Yeni Musavat", Tofig Yagublu, was toughened. 

On April 27, employees of the Ministry of Transport beat reporters of the newspaper "Azadlig" Halig Garayev and Seymour Khaziyev.

IRFS draws attention to the fact that the repression against journalists increased after the publication of the U.S. State Department report on serious human rights violations in Azerbaijan.–06D--