Radio Free Europe carried this brief article about Novruzali Mammadov, who died yesterday in prison at the age of 68. He is free now. He has left this world behind.
Mammadov was one of roughly half a dozen journalists imprisoned in Azerbaijan, which has ranked at or near the top for European countries imprisoning journalists. This spring, two journalists were released, leaving five behind bars.
Then, of course, Emin and Adnan were arrested earlier this summer. They continue to languish in prison on trumped up charges, despite the international outrage caused by their arrests.
Showing posts with label journalists. Show all posts
Showing posts with label journalists. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
New report details brutality in Azerbaijan
A new report by Amnesty International describes a persistent pattern of abuses by authorities in Azerbaijan. The report looks in particular at several cases of individual journalists who have been persecuted by authorities.
The report comes a day before the parliament votes on a set of measures that will make operation of independent NGOs in Azerbaijan nearly impossible. (I've shared information about these proposals in earlier posts.) I have listened to friends in Azerbaijan who say that they doubt that the parliament will pass such extreme measures.
I'm not so sure. It seems that in recent history every repressive measure that has been proposed has, in fact, been adopted.
If these measures are adopted, it will probably mean more brutality by authorities against the journalists of Azerbaijan and against the population of that country in general.
The report comes a day before the parliament votes on a set of measures that will make operation of independent NGOs in Azerbaijan nearly impossible. (I've shared information about these proposals in earlier posts.) I have listened to friends in Azerbaijan who say that they doubt that the parliament will pass such extreme measures.
I'm not so sure. It seems that in recent history every repressive measure that has been proposed has, in fact, been adopted.
If these measures are adopted, it will probably mean more brutality by authorities against the journalists of Azerbaijan and against the population of that country in general.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Spy trial starts next week
The trial of Ali Karaki and Ali Najmeddin is supposed to begin June 24 in Baku, according to Intelligence Online, a newsletter based in Paris. The two alleged Lebanese Hezbollah agents were arrested as a result of a joint effort by the CIA in Azerbaijan, the Turkish intelligence agency Milli Istihbarat Teskilat, and Israel's spy agency Mossad, according to IO.
The report from IO says the arrests of Hezbollah members in Azerbaijan is just the one of a string of set-backs suffered by the group, which is deemed a terrorist organization by the U.S. government.
I couldn't find any news of the trial in the local press of Azerbaijan, but this isn't surprising. In fact, the trial very well may not occur. Often diplomatic deals obviate the need for spy trials.
That's not to say that the legal system in Azerbaijan has been quiet lately.
According to Trend News, a news agency closely connected to the government, a criminal prosecutor today called for the imprisonment of Mahal Ismayiloglu, former editor of Khalq Qazeti. He's also written articles for the New Musavat newspaper. The prosecutor is calling for a prison term of 3 1/2 years. The charge supposedly has nothing to do with his journalism. The criminal case is based on the complaints of Nasiba Nurush, Ismayiloglu's housekeeper. She charges that her former employer put physical pressure on her and insulted her.
And yesterday a court sentenced members of a radical religious group to prison terms ranging from two to 15 years for their role in planned attacks on the U.S. and British Embassies in Azerbaijan two years ago.
The report from IO says the arrests of Hezbollah members in Azerbaijan is just the one of a string of set-backs suffered by the group, which is deemed a terrorist organization by the U.S. government.
I couldn't find any news of the trial in the local press of Azerbaijan, but this isn't surprising. In fact, the trial very well may not occur. Often diplomatic deals obviate the need for spy trials.
That's not to say that the legal system in Azerbaijan has been quiet lately.
According to Trend News, a news agency closely connected to the government, a criminal prosecutor today called for the imprisonment of Mahal Ismayiloglu, former editor of Khalq Qazeti. He's also written articles for the New Musavat newspaper. The prosecutor is calling for a prison term of 3 1/2 years. The charge supposedly has nothing to do with his journalism. The criminal case is based on the complaints of Nasiba Nurush, Ismayiloglu's housekeeper. She charges that her former employer put physical pressure on her and insulted her.
And yesterday a court sentenced members of a radical religious group to prison terms ranging from two to 15 years for their role in planned attacks on the U.S. and British Embassies in Azerbaijan two years ago.
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