Investigative Journalists in Cuffs: Azerbaijan's Crackdown on Freedom of Speech
Unraveling corruption in politics often lands investigative journalists in hot water, and that's exactly what happened to two intrepid wordsmiths in Azerbaijan. On a Tuesday in an undisclosed year, Sevinsh Vagifgysi, the fearless editor-in-chief of news website Absas Media, was nabbed upon her return from Europe. Elchin Sadygov, her lawyer, revealed this information to the AFP news agency, adding that there was also a search of Vagifgysi's home.
The storm had already begun for Absas Media's director Ulwi Hasanli, who had been arrested on allegations of currency smuggling the previous day. Hasanli, passionate about his craft, vehemently denied the charges and declared them baseless. Sibeyda Sadygova, Hasanli's lawyer, shared these sentiments, mentioning the possibility of a twelve-year prison sentence if found guilty.
Absas Media disclosed that Hasanli had been subjected to inhumane treatment in prison. Amnesty International, an esteemed human rights organization, voiced anguish over these reports, hinting at the possibility of physical abuse or mistreatment. Hasanli's staid detention seemed to fit an unfortunate pattern, where dissenters are silenced by the authorities to stem their voices of dissent.
Hasanli, a courageous journalist, had surfaced allegations of rampant corruption within the upper echelons of Azerbaijan's political sphere. He had also covered critical topics of public interest, often drawing the ire of the government in the past. Azerbaijan, under the staunch rule of President Ilham Aliyev, has long been lambasted for its questionable democratic record.
Amnesty International urged the Azerbaijani authorities to grant Hasanli amnesty, citing concerns about his treatment and the potential length of his sentence. Two representatives of Amnesty International visited Hasanli in prison, where they witnessed signs of physical abuse and expressed their fear of the impact of his imprisonment on the freedom of speech and investigation of corruption in Azerbaijan.
The arrest of the two journalists, coupled with allegations of mistreatment within the prison walls, spurred international outrage. Organizations such as Amnesty International called for an immediate halt to the persecution of journalists in Azerbaijan and for the implementation of international human rights laws.
Ulwi Hasanli, alongside five other Absas Media employees, was detained on charges of conspiracy to smuggle foreign currency into Azerbaijan. The trial commenced on December 17, 2024, and the request for a transfer to house arrest during the trial was dismissed by the court. The situation was part of a broader crackdown on independent media and civil society in Azerbaijan, which intensified after the country hosted the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in November 2024.
The international community strongly condemned the arrests and the crackdown on civil society and independent media in Azerbaijan. Amnesty International highlighted systemic and egregious violations of human rights, including the arbitrary detention of human rights defenders and journalists, and the suppression of the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) documented attacks on the press in 2024, including the arrests of journalists in Azerbaijan. The CPJ emphasized the necessity for the Azerbaijani authorities to respect journalists' rights and ensure their safety.
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Ulvi Hasanli and five other employees of Absas Media have faced charges of smuggling foreign currency into Azerbaijan and have been in pre-trial detention since November 2023. The arrests are part of a larger trend of crackdowns on independent media and civil society in Azerbaijan, which intensified following the country's hosting of COP29 in November 2024. Several international organizations, including Amnesty International and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), have strongly condemned the Azerbaijani government's actions against independent media and civil society.
