The International Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the escalating crackdown on independent media in Azerbaijan and called on the authorities to stop persecuting journalists.

The statement was prompted by the recent in absentia sentences handed down by Azerbaijani authorities to two exiled journalists: Sevinj Osmangizi (eight years in prison) and Ganimat Zahid (seven years). They were accused of calling for the overthrow of the government, but both deny the charges, claiming the persecution is politically motivated.

"These decisions follow an unprecedented crackdown on civil society and independent media in Azerbaijan that began in late 2023. As a result, at least 26 journalists are currently behind bars. Over the past year, Azerbaijan has brought serious criminal charges in absentia against dozens of exiled government critics," the Committee to Protect Journalists said in a statement.

Those convicted in absentia themselves reported receiving minimal information about the charges, primarily from the media. Sevinj Osmanqizi, working in the United States, runs the YouTube channel Osmanqizi TV. Ganimat Zahid, living in France, runs the opposition publication Azadliq.