In Baku, the police raided ToplumTV.
The detention of journalists and the sealing of media offices without concrete evidence or legal basis have sparked widespread condemnation. MP Agil Abbas, in an interview with Turan, emphasized the importance of due process and cautioned against arbitrary closures of media outlets, urging for a fair investigation before any decisive action is taken.
Rufat Safarov, co-founder of the human rights organization Line of Defense, expressed concern about attacks on public television in a commentary for Radio Azadlig, emphasizing its crucial role in providing a platform for the expression of opposition opinions. He views the current criminal case as a thinly veiled attempt to silence critical media and suppress civil society initiatives such as the III Republican Platform.
The recent crackdown comes amidst a backdrop of escalating pressure on independent media in Azerbaijan. Since late 2023, at least 10 journalists, including prominent figures from "AbzasMedia," have been detained and arrested under charges of smuggling. However, many within the journalistic community view these arrests as politically motivated attempts to intimidate and silence dissenting voices.
The use of vague legal charges, such as smuggling, to target journalists reflects a concerning trend of weaponizing the legal system to suppress freedom of expression. The severity of potential sentences under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code underscores the risks faced by journalists who dare to challenge the status quo.
The targeting of journalists and media outlets represents a grave threat to democracy and human rights in Azerbaijan. The government's crackdown on independent media not only undermines the principles of free speech but also erodes public trust in democratic institutions. It is imperative for the international community to closely monitor the situation and exert pressure on Azerbaijani authorities to uphold press freedom and respect the rights of journalists.
In conclusion, the recent spate of arrests and searches targeting journalists and media outlets in Azerbaijan raises serious concerns about the state of press freedom and democracy in the country. The arbitrary use of legal charges to silence dissenting voices highlights the urgent need for reform and international scrutiny to safeguard fundamental rights and freedoms.
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On the night of 16 July, border guards of ‘Goradiz’ Border Guard detained resident of Gazakh region Kamil Rasulov, who tried to smuggle 17 kg of marijuana into Azerbaijan.
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Ahmed Mammadov and Etibar Veliyev were detained in an operation by employees of the main Directorate for combating Cybersecurity of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. They are suspected of stealing funds from citizens' bank cards.
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Precipitation is expected in places in Baku and Absheron on July 17; the wind is north-westerly. The daytime air temperature will be +30+35 degrees, the daytime humidity will be 50-60%. Intense precipitation with thunderstorms and hail will take place in mountainous areas of the country. There is fog in places in the morning and evening. The wind is easterly. In the lowlands during the day +31+ 36, in the mountains +18+ 23 degrees.
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A day later, the Interior Ministry reacted to shocking video footage on social networks, where a police officer slips a package into the pocket of a citizen and then detains him with violence.
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