The ECHR has once again defended renowned Azerbaijani journalist Khadija Ismayilova, finding her criminal prosecution in 2014-2015 unlawful. The court found that the charges of tax evasion and illegal entrepreneurial activity (working for foreign media without accreditation) were unfounded and violated Article 7 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

The ECHR ordered Azerbaijan to pay the journalist €16,000 in compensation. The court also emphasized that Ismayilova's prosecution was related to her professional activities and constituted an interference with her freedom of expression.

In addition to the current ruling, the ECHR has previously ruled in favor of Khadija Ismayilova. In October 2025, the court upheld her libel claim, ordering Azerbaijan to pay €5,100. In May 2020, the ECHR found violations of Ismayilova's rights to a fair trial and respect for her private life, awarding her €4,500 in compensation for moral damages and €1,500 in legal costs. In January 2019, the Strasbourg Court also found the interference in her privacy unlawful and ordered the Azerbaijani government to pay €16,750.