RWB condemns arrest of journalist Isbatov in Azerbaijan

The international organization "Reporters Without Borders" (RWB) has called on the Azerbaijani authorities to release Natig Isbatov, arrested on charges of violating the quarantine regime.

Natig Isbatov was detained on April 9 after filming a protest action held in front of the employment office and interviewed a woman who was denied financial help after losing her job.

The authors of the statement have noted that the Azerbaijani authorities had repeatedly expressed a desire to control information about the coronavirus epidemic. In particular, the General Prosecutor's Office (GPO) has warned social network users that the authorities would investigate all reports about "fake news". According to the Baku-based NGO "Centre for Election Monitoring and Democracy Training", more than 120 social media users have received warnings from the police.

The work of journalists with opposition parties, whose actions are easier to control during the quarantine regime, poses an additional danger to journalists, the authors of the statement believe.

"Thus, on April 20, after interviewing the head of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA) and participation in the trial of Tofig Yagublu, a member of the 'Musavat' Party, in Baku, Teimur Karimov, a reporter of the online edition 'Azad Soz' (Free Word) was attacked," says the RWB's statement.

The RWB has also published the World Press Freedom Index in 2020, in which Azerbaijan was placed in the 168th place among 180 states.