Azerbaijan Imposes Harsh Prison Terms on Seven Journalists
In a significant escalation of its crackdown on independent media, an Azerbaijani court sentenced seven journalists to prison terms ranging from 7 1/2 to nine years. The verdict includes Farid Mehralizada, a journalist and economist affiliated with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), who received a nine-year sentence.
Details of the Sentences and Accusations
- Farid Mehralizada was sentenced to nine years behind bars.
- Abzas Media's director Ulvi Hasanli, chief editor Sevinj Abbasova (Vagifqizi), and investigative reporter Hafiz Babali each received nine-year sentences.
- Reporters Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Gasimova were given eight years in prison.
- Deputy director Mahammad Kekelov received a 7 1/2 year sentence.
The Azerbaijani authorities accused these journalists of various offenses, including illegal entrepreneurship, tax evasion, and document forgery. Authorities initially detained six journalists from Abzas Media in November 2023, citing alleged possession of significant sums of foreign currency. Mehralizada was arrested separately in May 2024, although both he and Abzas Media deny any affiliation.
Journalists Denounce Charges as Politically Motivated
All seven journalists have rejected the charges, labeling them politically motivated efforts aimed at silencing independent voices. Mehralizada, in his final court statement, emphasized his innocence and lamented the growing association of journalism with terrorism in Azerbaijan. He said, "Independent media is one of the greatest means of service to the state, the nation, and humanity."
International Outcry and Calls for Release
Human rights and press freedom organizations strongly condemned the verdicts. Reporters Without Borders described the trial as “a purely political process based on fabricated accusations” intended to muzzle journalists exposing corruption and injustice. Their spokesperson underscored that imprisoning journalists does not silence the truth.
RFE/RL's leadership echoed these sentiments, highlighting Mehralizada's unjust detention that has already caused him to miss key family moments, including the birth of his child. They urged the Azerbaijani government to end this “sham trial” and bring him back to his family.
Context of Media Suppression in Azerbaijan
This latest wave of arrests follows a broader pattern of intensified restrictions on independent journalism in Azerbaijan. In March 2024, authorities targeted Toplum TV with raids and arrests on similar charges. By December 2024, six journalists from Meydan TV faced accusations of smuggling. Earlier this year, press credentials were revoked for international outlets including Voice of America and Bloomberg, while the BBC’s bureau in Azerbaijan was forcibly closed.
Amnesty International has criticized these measures as a systematic effort to stifle freedom of expression, describing the arrests and media shutdowns as weaponizing fabricated charges to quash independent reporting.
What Lies Ahead for Azerbaijani Media
The ongoing clampdown highlights the precarious situation of press freedom in Azerbaijan. International observers warn that continued political pressure and legal harassment threaten to suffocate independent journalism entirely, undermining both national transparency and democratic principles.
