Reporters Without Borders condemned the repression of journalists in Azerbaijan

The Azerbaijani authorities are eliminating all independent media and voices that expose the actions of the corrupt political elite. Six journalists have been arrested in the country recently, and this repressive machine must be stopped. This is stated in a press release from the international press protection organization Reporters Without Borders.

The authors recalled the arrest of Kanal-13 internet television host Rufat Muradli on charges of “petty hooliganism” and “disobedience to the police.” Earlier, the head of Kanal-13, Aziz Orujov, was placed in custody in a criminal case regarding unauthorized construction. Also arrested were the director of the news platform Abzas Media Ulvi Hasanli, the editor-in-chief Sevinj Vagifgyzy, the publication’s journalist Nargiz Absalamova, and activist Mohammed Kekalov who collaborated with the portal. They were accused of smuggling foreign currency.

“Arbitrary arrests, violence, falsification of evidence. We condemn this wave of repression and call on the Council of Europe to remind the Azerbaijani regime of its obligations and release all journalists,” Reporters Without Borders said in a statement.

Последние новости
Friend of missing Chechen woman detained in Grozny after picket
Human rights
Friend of missing Chechen woman detained in Grozny after picket
23 August 2026

Elena Patyaeva—a friend of Seda Suleymanova, who disappeared three years ago after being forcibly returned from St. Petersburg to Chechnya—was detained in Grozny. On August 23, Patyaeva stood by the monument to journalists who died for freedom of speech, holding a sign that read: "I demand an investigation into the murder of Seda Suleymanova." This was reported by the human rights project "Slovo Zashchite" (Word for the Defense).

Azerbaijani Ambassador Says Russian Media Hinders Closer Ties Between Baku and Moscow
Politics
Azerbaijani Ambassador Says Russian Media Hinders Closer Ties Between Baku and Moscow
23 August 2026

Azerbaijan intends to continue developing relations with Russia, despite the deteriorating media narrative surrounding Baku in Russian outlets. Rahman Mustafayev, Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Russia, stated this in an interview with RTVI.

Falling debris from Ukrainian UAVs sparks fires in southern Russia
Politics
Falling debris from Ukrainian UAVs sparks fires in southern Russia
23 August 2026

Wildfires broke out in the Rostov and Krasnodar regions due to falling drone debris. In the Rostov region, the railway overhead power line was also damaged, while in the Kuban region, three people—including two children—were killed in an attack the previous day.

Case over children’s poisoning in Dagestan reaches court
Society
Case over children’s poisoning in Dagestan reaches court
22 August 2026

In Dagestan’s Karabudakhkent District, a criminal case against the head of the private Chudo kindergarten in the village of Paraul, where 10 children suffered carbon monoxide poisoning in February, has been sent to court, the republic’s prosecutor’s office said.
The woman is accused of providing services that failed to meet safety requirements for consumers’ lives and health. The case will be heard by the Karabudakhkent District Court.