Activists associate persecution of journalist Aziz Orudjev with his professional activities

The case against Aziz Orudjev, the executive director of the "Internet TV Kanal-13" (Kanal13.tv), is connected with his professional activities, and after the journalist's arrest, the online channel giving the floor to human rights defenders and oppositionists faced difficulties. Another reason for the persecution of the journalist can be in revenge for the activities of his brother Anar Orudjev, who lives in Germany. This opinion was voiced by activists in Azerbaijan. Aziz Orudjev became the fourth journalist to be persecuted in Azerbaijan over the past four months.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on May 2, Aziz Orudjev was detained when he was going to work together with his wife, an employee of the "Kanal-13". A protocol was drawn up against Aziz Orudjev for failure to obey to lawful requirements of policemen. According to the police, Aziz Orudjev looks like a certain Faig Jabbarov, who was declared wanted in 2015, and the journalist was detained for that reason.

Later, Aziz Orudjev was charged with illegal entrepreneurship with large income and abuse of official power, which entailed grave consequences. The journalist faces up to seven years of imprisonment.

Elchin Sadygov, an advocate of the journalist, has announced his intention to file a complaint about the arrest of his client early next week.

Lamiya Orudjeva, the wife of the journalist, has noted that her husband "observed the principles of objective journalism."

Akif Gurbanov, the director of the Institute for Democratic Initiatives, believes that the case against Aziz Orudjev is politically motivated.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.