Rüfət Muradlı
The Committee for the Protection of Journalists (CPJ) has called on Azerbaijani authorities to release journalist Rufat Muradli and cease repressive actions against the independent press, highlighting concerns over a trend of arrests targeting media professionals.
CPJ Program Director Carlos Martinez de la Serna expressed alarm over Muradli's arrest, the sixth instance in less than two weeks. The journalist, known for his role as the host of the popular online broadcaster Kanal 13, was detained in Baku on December 2 on charges of disorderly conduct and disobeying police orders. Subsequently, the Khatai District Court of Baku sentenced Muradli to 30 days of arrest based on these charges.
The arrest of Muradli followed the detention of Aziz Orujev, director of Channel 13, on November 28, on charges of illegal construction, reportedly in retaliation for his journalistic activities. The CPJ notes a pattern of repression against independent media, including the recent arrests of four employees of the anti-corruption agency Abzas Media, engaged in investigative journalism since November 20.
The situation extends beyond Baku, as reported by CPJ. In the city of Lankaran, southwestern Azerbaijan, freelance reporters Shahla Karim and Aytaj Mammadli, were detained by police during street interviews on Monday. The police cited the absence of press credentials as grounds for their detention. The CPJ has reported that the police deleted video footage from Mammadli's phone and attempted to erase recordings from Karim's camera memory card.
The CPJ has reached out to the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Justice via email, seeking comment on the situation, but as of now, no responses have been received. The CPJ's appeal underscores the critical importance of safeguarding press freedom and protecting journalists against arbitrary detention and harassment.
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On January 29, municipal elections were held in Azerbaijan, with over 16,000 candidates participating across 118 constituencies. The Central Election Commission (CEC) has already announced the names of the leading candidates on its website. Hours after the election, CEC Chairman Mazahir Panahov stated at a briefing that 413 out of 685 municipalities had already been formed, with 7,791 candidates identified as leaders. According to him, elections proceeded normally in all constituencies, and no complaints were received by his office. However, independent candidates and experts claim that there were violations during the election process.
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On Friday, the weather in the capital will be changeable, with no precipitation expected. The wind will be from the southeast. The temperature at night will be +5 to +7°C, and during the day it will be +8 to +12°C. Humidity will be 70-80%. Precipitation is possible in the eastern region of the country. Fog in some areas, with an easterly wind.
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On January 30, the weather in Baku will be cloudy, and light precipitation possible during the day on the Absheron Peninsula. The wind will be southeast. At night, the temperature will be +4 to +7°C, and during the day it will reach +8 to +12°C. Humidity will be 70-80%.
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Azerbaijani authorities have detained former Russian judge Elena Khakhaleva at Baku International Airport, officials confirmed to Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office and Ministry of Internal Affairs. The arrest was first reported by Kommersant and Izvestia, citing sources, and later corroborated by law enforcement contacts through RIA Novosti and TASS.
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