OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media condemns attacks on journalists in Azerbaijan

The authorities of Azerbaijan should carry out a transparent investigation into the acts of violence against journalists that took place on May 6-7 in Baku. This was announced by Dunja Mijatovic, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media.

"The journalists were attacked while they were highlighting public protests. The recent acts of violence against journalists raise our concern over the situation with freedom of the media in Azerbaijan, which is alarming in any case," emphasizes the statement of Dunja Mijatovic. In the evening of May 7, the statement of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media was published on the OSCE's website.

On May 6, Etimad Budagov, a photojournalist of the news agency "Turan" was attacked by the police. Mukhamed Turkmen, a correspondent of the newspaper "Yeni Musavat", Khalid Garaev, a correspondent of the newspaper "Azadlyg", and Amid Suleimanov, a staff member of the website "mediaforum.az", were detained by the police, while they were performing their professional duties. This was emphasized by Dunja Mijatovic.

"The law enforcement agencies of Azerbaijan are responsible for the protection of journalists. And thus, it is unacceptable, when the police attack journalists or incite anyone to attack representatives of the media. I hope for a speedy and transparent investigation into those incidents," Dunja Mijatovic emphasizes in her statement.