Five more journalists detained in Azerbaijan amid crackdown on media freedom

Five journalists associated with the critical media outlet Meydan TV have been detained in Azerbaijan. They are accused of smuggling currency. The detainees themselves call the detentions politically motivated. The incident occurred against the backdrop of a large-scale crackdown on freedom of speech in the country that has drawn international criticism. The embassies of the US, EU and other countries have called for the immediate release of the detainees.

Five Azerbaijani journalists who reportedly work with Meydan TV — media outlets known for their harsh criticism of government policies, — were detained in Baku.

This was reported on December 6 by their relatives, writes «Radio Liberty».

According to relatives, the journalists – Aynur Elgunas, Aytach Tapdig, Natig Javadli, Hayala Aghayeva and Ramin Kabrailzadeh, who works under the pseudonym Deko – were taken to the Baku City Police Headquarters.

Representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs said that Kabrailzadeh was detained after receiving information about a possible attempt to smuggle foreign currency into the country. The ministry also told the Turan news agency that an investigation is ongoing and that other people have been detained in this case.

«Additional information will be provided later», — the department said.

The detainees themselves deny the charges brought against them, calling them politically motivated and related to their professional activities.

The incident comes amid a wider crackdown on media freedom in Azerbaijan. Over the past year, more than 20 journalists and civil society activists have been arrested in the country, including representatives of AbzasMedia and Toplum TV, who are also suspected of smuggling foreign currency.

The detentions came on the eve of International Human Rights Day, which is celebrated on December 10. The embassies of the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom and Switzerland in Baku earlier this week called for the immediate release of those imprisoned for exercising their fundamental freedoms. They expressed particular concern about the persecution of activists and journalists who defend human rights and freedom of expression.

US Ambassador Mark Libby called on the Azerbaijani government to release «those who fight for human rights in their beautiful country». Among those detained, Libby said, is economist and journalist Farid Mehralizadeh, who was recently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Libby stressed that Azerbaijan must fulfill its international human rights obligations by releasing those who have been unjustly detained.

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry rejected the statements of foreign diplomats and denied that the detentions were related to the professional activities of journalists. The ministry said it was «an attempt to undermine the independence of the Azerbaijani judicial system».

International observers express deep concern about freedom of speech and respect for human rights in Azerbaijan amid continued persecution of journalists and activists.