Public group in defence of journalist Ismailova set up in Azerbaijan

A public coordination group for protecting the rights of Khadidja Ismailova, a journalist of the Azerbaijani Service of Radio Liberty, was founded in Azerbaijan. Besides, a journalistic preventive response group was set up, led by the well-known columnist Shakhveled Chobanoglu, which will start its own investigation into the crimes committed against Ismailova.

The decisions to create the groups was made on Friday, March 16, during the forum of democratic public of Azerbaijan, held at Media Centre of the Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS).

Ms Ismailova spoke to the forum and thanked the public and journalists who expressed solidarity with her during the recent campaign aimed to discredit her, which was launched – as she believes – by Azerbaijani authorities. "I don't believe in their sincerity, since only after several days of persecution, the authorities distanced themselves away from the dirty video regarding my personal life," she said.

Khadidja Ismailova has added that she was not going to leave Azerbaijan and will continue her inquiries concerning corruption in the close retinue of the country's president. "I'll just go abroad for a week to take part in three conferences," she said.

Besides, she has stated that she was not ashamed of her personal life. "Let those be ashamed, who look into others' bedrooms, who deprive their compatriots of their daily bread to build cottages for themselves," she said.