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June 02, 2025 – Azerbaijan –
Farid Mehralizada, an Azerbaijani economist and journalist working with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), is on trial facing a possible 12-year prison sentence. His case has sparked international concern, with press freedom advocates condemning it as part of a wider clampdown on dissent in Azerbaijan.
Mehralizada was arrested in May 2024 under troubling circumstances—detained by unidentified men who reportedly covered his head with a bag and took him to a police facility in Baku. He was later charged with smuggling foreign currency, tax evasion, and document forgery. However, many believe these charges are fabricated to punish him for his independent economic journalism, which frequently criticized the Azerbaijani government’s handling of financial policy and corruption.
Known for explaining complex economic issues in a clear and accessible way, Mehralizada’s reporting gained a large audience through Radio Azadliq, RFE/RL’s Azerbaijani service. His work often focused on inequality, unemployment, and government mismanagement. During his trial, he maintained that his prosecution was politically motivated, rooted in his efforts to make economic information public and understandable.
International reactions to the case have been swift. The U.S. State Department and members of the European Parliament have expressed serious concern, calling for the release of Mehralizada and others imprisoned under similar conditions. Human rights organizations have also criticized Azerbaijan’s growing intolerance toward journalists and civil society members. The case comes amid a broader crackdown on independent media, with several journalists, NGO workers, and critics of the regime facing arrest and prosecution.
Mehralizada’s trial reflects what rights advocates describe as Azerbaijan’s worsening press freedom landscape. His arrest has become symbolic of the risks faced by those who dare to question official narratives. Global watchdogs are urging the Azerbaijani government to drop the charges and protect the right to free expression, warning that continued repression will further isolate the country on the international stage. As his trial continues, calls for justice and transparency are only growing louder.
Reference –
https://ground.news/article/azerbaijan-young-economics-journalist-facing-prison
