Afghan Sadigov
During the court proceedings for Afghan Sadigov, head of the Azel TV website, the Georgian Center for Social Justice supported his petition for house arrest. Additionally, six media organizations in Georgia provided guarantees that Sadigov would not go into hiding if released, Tamta Mikeladze, the director of programs at the center reported. She emphasized that the Center for Social Justice is safeguarding Sadigov's legal interests and has engaged lawyers for his defense.
“The Center for Social Justice presented evidence to the court that, on one hand, proves the baseless nature of the charges against Afghan Sadigov in Azerbaijan, and on the other hand, indicates a reasonable suspicion of discriminatory persecution by the Azerbaijani authorities due to his professional activities. The organization also submitted medical documents demonstrating the severe health condition of the unlawfully imprisoned journalist, arguing against claims of his potential flight and obstruction of justice,” Mikeladze stated.
Given the clearly precarious and critical legal situation for journalists and activists in Azerbaijan, the court was urged to consider that extraditing Afghan Sadigov to Azerbaijan could lead to violations of his rights. However, the court dismissed the defense's arguments and the guarantees provided on Sadigov's behalf, leaving him in custody, Mikeladze concluded.
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Tbilisi Court Keeps Afghan Sadigov in Custody Despite Poor Health
The Tbilisi City Court has denied Afghan Sadigov, the head of the Azerbaijani website Azel.Tv, a request to be placed under house arrest. The motion was filed by Sadigov's lawyers due to a sharp deterioration in his health, his wife, Sevinc Sadigova said.
Afghan Sadigov has been on hunger strike for 42 days in custody. He was brought to court today in a wheelchair because he is unable to walk. Due to his condition, he was unable to attend the prison hospital's visiting area two days ago to speak with his family.
According to his wife, the court proceedings were formal. “We, along with the children, were not even allowed to approach the glass cage to talk briefly. Afghan was not released despite his serious health issues. Last week, a prison doctor stated that Afghan's blood sugar had dropped significantly. He could fall asleep at any moment and not wake up,” Sevinc Sadigova said.
She added that a court session regarding the denial of Afghan Sadigov's asylum application in Georgia is scheduled for November 11.
Afghan Sadigov and his family arrived in Georgia in December 2023, fearing persecution. In July, he was not allowed to leave Georgia for Türkiye, with officials stating that he could only return to Azerbaijan. In August, he was detained at the request of Azerbaijan, where he faces charges of extortion and is being sought for extradition. Since September 21, he has been on hunger strike in protest against his arrest and the refusal to grant him asylum. On October 8, his health deteriorated due to the hunger strike, and he was transferred to the prison hospital.
Politics
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"I was deeply concerned to learn of the arrest of journalists working with Meydan TV. A free and independent press is a vital component of any democracy. Journalists must be able to report on issues without the fear of arrest, intimidation, or violence." This statement was posted by the UK Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Fergus Auld, on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday.
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The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has condemned the arrest of six journalists and media workers in Azerbaijan, including five staff members of Meydan TV and one freelance journalist. "At around noon, independent journalist Ramin Jebrailzadeh (also known as Ramin Deko) was detained at Baku airport upon his arrival from neighboring Georgia, where he had been covering pro-European protests. At the same time, law enforcement officers in different parts of the city detained Natig Javadhli, Khayala Agaeva, Aytac Tapdyg, Aynur Elgunesh, and Aysel Umudova, who work with the Germany-based independent media outlet Meydan TV," the CPJ statement reads.
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Georgian special forces dispersed anti-government demonstrators on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi on Friday night, which was the first such crackdown in three days of protests. Authorities used water cannons and tear gas to clear protesters from the area near the Georgian Parliament. Several demonstrators were detained.
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The President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, sent a congratulatory message to the President of the European Council, His Excellency Mr. António Costa, on the occasion of his assuming office. "Cooperation between Azerbaijan and the European Union has a broad agenda and covers energy, including green energy, transport, trade, and other areas. Azerbaijan's important role in ensuring Europe's energy security is undeniable," the message reads.
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