Emil Baghirov

[Yanis Varoufakis @yanisvaroufakis]

Farid Mehralizada is one of 25 journalists languishing in an Azeri prison, on trumped up charges.

I learned that from his family who humbled me with the news that he translated my book TALKING TO MY DAUGHTER in his cell.

Free Farid!
Free every jailed journalist, everywhere!

[Emil Baghirov @emilbagh]

“The sorry sight of 11 journalists and a respected journalism teacher on trial in the case against award-winning Meydan TV only underscores the vast and unjustified character of #Azerbaijan’s crackdown on the independent press,” said @gulnozas https://t.co/Q1ZSZx17EQ

[PACE @PACE_News]

PACE's Azadeh Rojhan has expressed deep concern over the pre-trial detention in #Azerbaijan of @_AXCP_ leader @AliKarimli.

She urged authorities to "swiftly review" the charges against him and ensure he is treated in line with #ECHR standards.

More:
https://t.co/6T1J4WXQM2

[Emil Baghirov @emilbagh]

#Azerbaijani police raid home of leading opposition figure amid coup attempt probe https://t.co/mwmmIzwBPI

[PACE @PACE_News]

The convictions of @AbzasMedia journalists in #Azerbaijan are "part of a continuing pattern of pressure against independent media" in the country, says PACE rapporteur Christophe Lacroix, urging their release.

Read his full statement:
https://t.co/PlK5eoFpbT

[PACE_Legal @PACE_LegalHR]

Noting the increasing level of repression against journalists and human rights defenders in Azerbaijan, rapporteur Christophe Lacroix (🇧🇪, @socpace) presents an information note on recent developments in that State, including the sentencing of Abzas Media staff to prison terms.

[Ulviyya Ali @UlviyyaAli]

The Day of The Modern Atlases

The day I was arrested, a fortune teller accused of fraud was placed in my cell for a few hours at the Khatai District Temporary Detention Center. Jokingly, I asked her, “So, what does my future hold?” She replied, “You’ll be imprisoned too, just like the other girls.” I smiled in response but said nothing. Because in Azerbaijan, you don’t need to be a fortune teller to predict the fate of an independent journalist.

Today, as Azerbaijan celebrates the 150th anniversary of National Press Day, 36 independent journalists remain behind bars, held on fabricated charges simply for carrying out their professional duties. Independent journalism in this country has always faced pressure, but the most ruthless wave of repression began after the adoption of the reactionary Media Law. Most of those currently imprisoned were the very ones who saw this danger coming and dared to speak out.

After the law was passed, the state began labeling journalists as smugglers and arresting them. Yet the real reason behind these detentions is clear to everyone. In the face of this crackdown, there were still those who courageously picked up their cameras and continued to report the truth. Each time we looked back, we saw our ranks thinning. Still, we felt a moral duty to keep speaking out, not just for ourselves but for our colleagues behind bars.

"No one can cage words". I had written that phrase on my hand during a protest against the Media Law. Eventually, my turn came. The same hand that bore those words was handcuffed.

It reached a point where there were no journalists left to report on my own trial, so I wrote the report myself and sent it to the media.

A disgraceful wave of repression is unfolding in the new chapter of independent journalism in Azerbaijan. But history has always shown that there are people who believe so deeply in something that they are ready to sacrifice everything for it, who carry the burden of truth on their shoulders and become modern-day Atlases.

Though we are now kept in separate cells, I send my deepest congratulations and solidarity to all my colleagues who continue to stand with pride and dignity on the right side of history, fearlessly and tirelessly.

[Emil Baghirov @emilbagh]

@coe @PACE_News Zelenskyy speaks before the PACE

[Emil Baghirov @emilbagh]

Lots of movement in and around the Council of Europe (@coe) in Strasbourg as President @ZelenskyyUa is expected to arrive shortly.

[Emil Baghirov @emilbagh]

@coe He’ll then address the plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly (@PACE_News) and take questions from MPs in a special late sitting.

[Mary Lawlor @MaryLawlorhrds]

I'm hearing disturbing news that on 20 June the Baku Court of Grave Crimes sentenced 5 @AbzasMedia journalists & HRDs whose cases I had previously raised with the Gvt to 8 to 9 years. I remain concerned this is linked to their legitimate anti-corruption work. @azmissiongeneva

[Commissioner for Human Rights @CommissionerHR]

I’m concerned by the criminal conviction of 7 journalists of Abzas media in Azerbaijan, who received prison sentences of 7,5 to 9 years. I reiterate my call for the release of all human rights defenders, journalists and civil society activists imprisoned for their legitimate work or for expressing critical opinions
https://t.co/0Mbyu5mxs6

[RFE/RL Pressroom @RFERLPress]

🧵Today marks one year since @RFERL journalist and economist Farid Mehralizada was unjustly imprisoned by Azerbaijani authorities.

For 365 days, he has been separated from his wife Nargiz and his daughter, who was born during his detention. #FreeFarid
https://t.co/9aveg8nTkZ

[Emil Baghirov @emilbagh]

French citizen Hugo Théo Clerc, sentenced in September 2024 to 3 years in prison for graffiti in Baku metro, was pardoned by presidential decree today.

His imprisonment was widely seen as political amid France–Azerbaijan tensions, as two co-defendants received only fines.

[Emil Baghirov @emilbagh]

She covered human rights for VOA in #Azerbaijan. Now she’s in jail. https://t.co/1JD0PXiO26

[Emil Baghirov @emilbagh]

Dozens of #Azerbaijani exiles marched in Strasbourg over the weekend, calling for the release of political prisoners — including opposition figure #TofigYagublu, who has been on hunger strike for nearly a month. The march concluded in front of the @coe headquarters.

[Emil Baghirov @emilbagh]

The Commissioner warned that Azerbaijan’s criminal prosecutions of critics reflect a "troubling pattern" already condemned by the European Court of Human Rights.
🔗 Full statement: https://t.co/HTG0Cr7IQO

[Emil Baghirov @emilbagh]

Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner Michael O’Flaherty (@CommissionerHR ) called on #Azerbaijani authorities to release detained human rights defenders, journalists, and activists.

He cited cases including Anar Mammadli, Tofig Yagublu, Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, and Aziz Orujov.