Detention of RFE/RL Journalist in Azerbaijan

We are deeply disturbed by the conviction and imprisonment of Ilgar Nasibov, a correspondent for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in Nakhchivan. This action against a representative of a professional and objective media organization is yet another indication of the deterioration of media freedom in Azerbaijan. The continuing failure of the authorities to respect freedom of the media is inconsistent with the Government of Azerbaijan’s stated commitments to international human rights standards and democratic reform.

We call upon the Government of Azerbaijan to take immediate measures to review this and other cases in which journalists have been imprisoned for their reporting and to fully comply with its stated commitments to respect freedom of speech and rule of law.