Project of "Preventive Reaction Group" to facts of pressure on journalists launched in Azerbaijan

The aim of the project "Preventive Reaction Group" (PRG) is to prevent threats to journalists and investigate cases of violence applied against them, and unjustified prosecution of journalists. Two groups have been formed so far, engaged in the inquiry into the murder of journalist Rafig Tagi and the arrest of the editor-in-chief of the "Khural" newspaper Avaz Zeinalov.

On December 6, the office of the Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS) hosted a presentation of this project, implemented with the financial support of the "Open Society Institute - Assistance Foundation: Azerbaijan" (Soros Foundation).

The aim of the project is to create a security system of media people, prevent threats to their lives, health and free journalistic creativity, explained Mekhman Aliev, a co-author of the idea of the PRG and director of the "Turan" news agency.

The project assumes to set up - in every particular case - a mobile group at the IRFS, consisting of 3-5 highly qualified experts (a former police officer, a journalist, a lawyer and a medic).

Such group can perform the following: to prevent threats to life and work of a media professional, investigate killings, beatings, kidnappings and blackmail of media people and of moral and psychological pressure on them, and hold inquiries into arrests of journalists.

Despite the fact that the investigations held by the PRG will have no legal consequences, its findings will be important in shaping the public opinion, said Mekhman Aliev.

Two such PRGs have been formed, involved in investigating the murder of the journalist Rafig Tagi and the arrest of the editor-in-chief of the "Khural" newspaper Avaz Zeinalov. The first results of the investigative journalism will be made public by the end of December.