Sevinj Vagifgizi dedicates her award to all anti-corruption journalists
Named the Champion of Global Anti-Corruption by the U.S. State Department, Sevinj Vagifgizi, the editor-in-chief of Abzas Media, addressed the public from pretrial detention. She expressed her gratitude to those who awarded her the title, thanking them for their commitment to democratic values. Vagifgizi emphasized that journalists at Abzas Media had exposed corruption crimes committed by high-ranking officials in Azerbaijan.
"Unfortunately, instead of opening criminal cases against the government officials based on these facts, the authorities arrested the journalists who exposed their crimes, accusing them of money laundering," she stated.
Following the government’s takeover of the judiciary and legislature, they are now targeting independent media outlets.
"But I believe that anyone who is committed to democratic principles will not allow the destruction of the only window of freedom in this country -independent media. This award is recognition of the work of all journalists uncovering corruption," Vagifgizi concluded.
Politics
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On December 17, 2024, the Baku Serious Crimes Court held a preparatory hearing in the case of Abzas Media. However, journalists were not allowed into the courtroom. In response to an inquiry from the Turan news agency, the court stated that there was no space available in the courtroom and suggested that journalists could file complaints with the Judicial Legal Council. However, a group of other individuals, including some relatives of the accused, were allowed into the courtroom.
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The criminal case against the leaders of Karabakh separatists has been sent to the Baku Military Court for consideration.
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The authorities of Georgia have denied political asylum to the family of Samir Ashurov, an activist arrested in Azerbaijan, the activist's wife, Nurana Ashurova reported. In the summer of 2023, Nurana Ashurova, along with their two minor children, left Azerbaijan for Georgia after receiving threats. She applied for political asylum in Georgia but was rejected by the country's migration authorities. According to Nurana Ashurova, she intends to appeal the decision in a local court.
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On 16 December, the Baku Court of Appeal, presided over by Ibrahim Ibrahimli, considered the complaint of a French citizen who, with two other foreigners, drew graffiti on underground cars in Baku Metro in March this year.
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