OSCE media freedom representative calls on Azerbaijani authorities to stop imprisonment of journalists

VIENNA, 27 September 2013 –OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today called today on the Azerbaijani authorities to stop prosecution of journalists following the handing down of a prison sentence to  newspaper editor Hilal Mamedov.

“I visited Mamedov and other imprisoned journalists and raised their cases with authorities during my official visit to Baku in November 2012. I am saddened to see that the hostile environment for free media in Azerbaijan has not improved but is rather growing, as yet another journalist has received a lengthy prison sentence today,” Mijatović  said. “I call on authorities to drop all criminal charges brought against Mamedov and other imprisoned journalists and set them free.”

Mamedov, the chief editor of the Tolishi Sado newspaper, received a 5-year prison sentence on 27 September on charges of drug possession, high treason and incitement of hatred.

Mijatović also raised concern about the recent arrests of Parviz Hashimli, a journalist with Bizim Yol newspaper, and Sardar Alibeyli, editor-in-chief of the newspaper P.S. Nota.

“I am deeply worried about the negative developments around independent media, especially in the run-up to the presidential election,” Mijatović said.