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).
In Baku, the editor-in-chief of the online publication Abzas Media, Sevinj Vagifgyzy, was charged under Article 206.3.3 of the Criminal Code (smuggling committed by a group of persons by prior conspiracy). She was detained as a suspect.
According to lawyer Elchin Sadigov, there is no evidence against Vagifgyzy. The journalist denied the accusation and connected it with her professional activities, in particular with Abzas Media’s investigations into corruption.
According to the accused, during her arrest she was subjected to violence by the police. After this, Vagifgyzy complained to her colleagues about feeling unwell and nauseated.
Among the journalist’s publications are several investigations into corruption and election fraud in Azerbaijan. It should be noted that the director of Abzas Media, Ulvi Hasanli, was detained under the same article of the Criminal Code. International journalistic and human rights organizations demanded his release.