IRFS Calls to Stop New Attacks on Journalists

Baku / 12.04.19 / Turan: The Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS) released a statement condemning "the ongoing attack against Mehman Huseynov, Azerbaijani anticorruption blogger and IRFS chair, released in March 2019, after being unjustly imprisoned for two years on trumped-up charges."

It further says as follows: "We are appalled that Azerbaijani authorities continue to keep Mehman Huseynov hostage, now imposing a travel ban in order to prevent his participation in high-level international panels abroad.

We wish to underline that in their attempts to silence Mehman, the Azerbaijani authorities only draw more attention to their political repression and their hostile actions towards the freedom of speech. The European Union is closely following the IRFS case and is determined to ensure that the resolution of the European Parliament is duly implemented."

"IRFS also strongly condemns the usage of travel bans against a number of other journalists, human rights defenders and even writers: Asabali Mustafayev, Annaghi Hajibayli, Akram Aylisli, Aytaj Ahmadova, Anar Mammadov, Aynura Heydarova, Aytan Alakbarova, Aziz Orujov, Babak Aynur, Ganbarova Bekir, Elnur Mukhtar, Emin Aslan, Fatima Movlamli, Khadija Ismayilova, Rasim Garaja, Mustafa Hajibayli, Tural Asadov, Intigam Aliyev, Izolda Aghayeva, Shahvalad Namazov, Natig Javadli, Sevinj Abbasova and Salima Jalilova.

We demand to immediately end the politically motivated persecution of journalists in Azerbaijan and ensure their freedom of movement.

IRFS urges Azerbaijan to unconditionally and immediately release journalists Afghan Mukhtarli, Araz Guliyev, Elchin Ismayilli, Seymur Hezi and Ziya Asadli, without any further restrictions.

IRFS calls on the international community to immediately engage in defence of these journalists and the human rights in Azerbaijan," the Institute's statement says. --0-----