The Azerbaijani authorities must stop repressing the country's independent press and release, among other Channel 13 journalists, Aziz Orujov and Shamo Eminov. This was reported by the New York Committee to Protect Journalists (JMK).
The head of Channel-13, Aziz Orujov, was charged with “smuggling of foreign currency committed by a group of persons”, as well as “illegal construction”. Shamo Eminov was also charged under the first article. Both face up to eight years in prison.
In addition, a court in Azerbaijan decided to close Channel 13 due to its dissemination of “false,” “offensive,” and “slanderous” information about government officials and other persons.
“Amid the ongoing wave of arrests of journalists in Azerbaijan, the recent arrests of Channel 13 journalists show how strongly the authorities want to silence critical voices ahead of the February presidential elections,” JMK noted.
