12 January 2025, 19:11
Human rights defenders launch campaign to protect arrested “Meydan TV” journalists
The “Amnesty International” human rights organization has launched a campaign demanding the release of “Meydan TV” journalists arrested in Azerbaijan. The human rights organization has called on its supporters to send letters to the President of Azerbaijan calling for the release of the journalists.
On December 6, “Meydan TV” employees, including Ainur Elgyunesh, Aitadj Tapdyg, Khayalya Agaeva, Aisel Umudova, Natig Djavadly, and journalist Ramin Deko (Djabrailzade) were detained on suspicion of foreign currency smuggling by prior conspiracy. The defendants believe that the criminal case against them is connected with their professional activities. A court arrested them and Ulvi Tairov, a friend of Ainur Elgyunesh, for four months.
The “Amnesty International” (AI) human rights organization notes that “the Azerbaijani authorities’ crackdown on independent media has resulted in the prosecution of more than 15 journalists and employees from independent media outlets since November 2023.” In particular, these are the arrests of journalists from the “Abzas Media”, “Kanal-11”, “Kanal-13”, and other media outlets, including employees of the “Toplum TV” and the Institute for Democratic Initiatives.
“In the run up to COP29 and the elections held in February (presidential) and September (parliamentary) of 2024, the Azerbaijani authorities arrested and prosecuted their critics, including prominent scholar Gubad Ibadoghlu, political opposition activist Tofig Yagublu, environmental human right defender Anar Mamedli, and researcher Bakhruz Samadov. On December 3, they arrested well-known human rights defender Rufat Safarov,” the “Amnesty International” (AI) emphasizes.
Let us remind you that on December 12, the “Union for Freedom of Political Prisoners in Azerbaijan” released an updated list of political prisoners, the number of which increased to 331.
In 2024, the number of political prisoners in Azerbaijan reached its peak within 23 years of the country’s membership in the Council of Europe (CE).
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on January 10, 2025 at 01:20 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Author: Faik Medjid Source: СK correspondent
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