Women Press Freedom documents concerning trend of systematic targeting and dismantling of independent media by authorities, including recent raid on Toplum TV

Location: Azerbaijan, Baku

Date: March 6, 2024

Update: March 14, 2024

Women Press Freedom is deeply concerned by the recent events in Azerbaijan, where the authorities' raid on Toplum TV and the detention of its journalists mark yet another alarming instance in the ongoing pattern of stifling press freedom and arresting members of the media. The raid represents a direct assault on independent journalism and continues the disturbing trend of increased governmental pressure on media voices that dare to criticize or operate independently of the state narrative. The detention of approximately 20 journalists from Toplum TV, including five women journalists — Parvana Gurbanli, Jamila Azimova, Gülyetər Mahmudova, Fidan Alijanova, and Alya Agayeva — under the guise of "smuggling" charges, is an attempt by the Azerbaijani government to suppress dissenting voices under the cover of legal action. We urgently call upon the international community, all those who work with the Azerbaijani government, including the United States and the European Union, to immediately and unequivocally condemn the detentions and arrests of media workers. 

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In yet another aggressive clampdown on independent media, Azerbaijan authorities raid Toplum TV, detaining its journalists on March 6, 2024. The police raid, which spanned over two hours, saw all access points to the media office blocked and staff members forcibly removed to be taken into custody. 

Among those detained were women journalists Parvana Gurbanli, Jamila Azimova, Gülyetər Mahmudova, Fidan Alijanova, and Alya Agayeva.

Khadija Ismayilova, the editor-in-chief of Toplum TV, and a renowned investigative journalist, expressed concern over the lack of an official explanation for the raids.

"It looks like (the authorities) want to fully liquidate independent media in the country to leave no platform for critical opinions," Ismayilova told Radio Free Europe."We have not been involved in any illegal activities. Therefore, there are no legal explanations for what is happening."

Ismayilova was summoned for questioning by Baku police on March 14, 2024 in connection with the Toplum TV investigation. The outlet’s editor refused to testify and was released after three hours of interrogation.

The March 6 crackdown extended beyond Toplum TV, with additional searches conducted at addresses linked to activists and media workers associated with the Third Republic Platform. JAM News reports concerns arose regarding the well-being and whereabouts of those detained, with communication being impossible for much of the day. Eventually, ten journalists, including the five women, were released around midnight.

Toplum TV employees Elmir Abbasov, Taleh Badalov, Khanlar Alizade, Mushvig Jabbarov, and Farid Ismayilov, as well as members of the Democratic Initiatives Institute (IDI) Ali Zeynal and Ilkin Ahmedov, and member of the Third Republic Platform Akif Gurbanov, remain in police custody. They face accusations of involvement in "smuggling by a group of people in a premeditated conspiracy."

Lawyer for Toplum TV, Farid Ismayilov, says the journalist experienced physical and psychological pressure at the hands of officers who tried to force him to sign documents. Ismayilov refused.

Toplum TV's YouTube channel was also hacked, resulting in the deletion of years' worth of journalistic work.

In reaction to the crackdown, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said at a briefing in Washington that the United States is "deeply concerned" about the actions against journalists in Baku. He called on Azerbaijan to stop its harassment of citizens

Systemic Persecution of Independent Media In Azerbaijan

Police raids and detentions targeting journalists who report for independent media and write critically of the regime have escalated in recent months. In November 2023, investigative outlet AbzasMedia was targeted, and six of the outlet’s journalists, including editor-in-chief Sevinj Vagifgizi and journalists Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Gasimova, were arrested on dubious charges. They remain in detention.

Under President Ilham Aliyev's authoritarian rule, Azerbaijan remains tightly controlled, with the country classified as "not free" according to the Freedom House index. Recent events, including last month's election, in which President Aliyev secured his fifth consecutive term with over 92% of the vote, have raised serious concerns among international observers. A lack of genuine competition marred the snap poll, as major opposition parties boycotted the election, denouncing it as an "imitation of democracy."

Following harassment while reporting on the presidential election, independent journalist Ulviyya Ali told Women Press Freedom that the AbzasMedia arrests have heightened oppression faced by journalists in Azerbaijan. “It appears to be a warning, suggesting that writing about certain topics could lead to a similar fate.”

“This constant fear is tangible every time you step out of your home or even when taking photos, knowing that you could face the same consequences. Their arrest serves as a clear threat to other independent journalists,” said Ali. 

Women Press Freedom is deeply concerned for the welfare of the detained journalists, as well as all independent journalists reporting in Azerbaijan. This latest act of repression is yet another effort by Aliyev’s regime to stifle any dissent or criticism. Independent journalists in Azerbaijan are in constant fear that they will be arbitrarily detained or arrested on bogus charges for simply doing their job. This crackdown must end.

Women Press Freedom calls on the international community to recognize this recent raid and detention of journalists as part of a broader, systematic effort by the Azerbaijani government to stifle press freedom and eliminate dissent. It is imperative that global leaders stand in solidarity with the journalists of Azerbaijan and demand their immediate release, as well as the cessation of all forms of harassment against the media. Any cooperation with Azerbaijan must not be allowed to continue until there is an end to this aggressive attack on the press and all wrongfully detained journalists are unconditionally released. The actions of the regime are undemocratic and unjust; this behavior cannot be allowed to flourish under the eyes of the world. Immediate action is needed.

Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

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