Azerbaijani journalists' arrest extended

A court in Baku extended the initial sentence of imprisonment for two months for the head of the Internet television channel “Channel 13” Aziz Orujev and an employee of this media outlet Shamo Eminov.

Aziz Orujov was detained in November 2023. He was accused of illegal housing construction and currency smuggling. He stated that he considers the charges fabricated and connects them with his journalistic activities. Shamo Eminov was arrested at the end of December and also accused of smuggling.

Since the end of last year, there have been repressions against independent journalists and activists in Azerbaijan. Director of the online publication Abzas Media Ulvi Hasanli, editor-in-chief Sevinj Vagifgyzy, journalist of the publication Nargiz Absalamova, as well as activist Mohammed Kekalov, who collaborated with Abzas Media, were arrested. They were all accused of smuggling foreign currency.