Azerbaijan’s Crackdown on Journalists and Opposition Figures Intensifies

March 14, 2025 – Azerbaijan – 

In recent months, Azerbaijan has escalated its suppression of independent journalism and political dissent, drawing international condemnation.

Meydan TV Journalists Detained

Since December 2024, Azerbaijani authorities have detained multiple journalists associated with Meydan TV, an independent media outlet operating from Berlin. The journalists face charges of smuggling foreign currency, allegations widely regarded as politically motivated. Among those arrested is Ulviyya Guliyeva, the 25th journalist detained in Azerbaijan over the past 18 months. Guliyeva, known for her coverage of human rights and social justice issues, anticipated her arrest and left a message asserting her innocence. She is the 11th journalist linked to the Meydan TV investigation, which has seen the entire newsroom staff held in pretrial detention since December 2024.

Tofig Yagublu’s Hunger Strike

Opposition politician Tofig Yagublu, a prominent member of the Musavat Party and the National Council of Democratic Forces, was sentenced to nine years in prison in March 2025 on charges he denies. In protest, Yagublu commenced a hunger strike on April 1, 2025, which lasted 40 days. His health deteriorated significantly, leading to hospitalization. He ended the strike at his daughter’s request, but concerns about his well-being persist.

European Parliament’s Resolution

On March 13, 2025, the European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning Azerbaijan’s detention of Armenian prisoners, including high-ranking officials from Nagorno-Karabakh. The resolution demands their immediate and unconditional release, criticizing the trials as unlawful and lacking due process. The Parliament also expressed concern over the broader human rights situation in Azerbaijan, urging the EU to prioritize human rights in its relations with the country.

These developments underscore the Azerbaijani government’s ongoing efforts to stifle dissent and suppress independent media, raising serious concerns about freedom of expression and the rule of law in the country.

Reference – 

Friday Wrap-up: Court hearings for Meydan TV journalists, Tofig Yagublu’s hunger strike, and European Parliament’s resolution on Armenian prisoners

https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/05/14/azerbaijan-has-imprisoned-its-last-independent-journalists_6741253_4.html

Friday Wrap-up: Tofig Yagublu’s prison term confirmed, Igbal Abilov receives 18-year prison sentence, and new arrests hit Azerbaijan Popular Front Party