Azerbaijan's authorities ban British journalist Emma Hughes from entering country

Last night, Emma Hughes, a British journalist, a member of the international human rights platform "Sports for Humans", was detained by border guards at the Baku airport. She was denied entry into Azerbaijan despite her visa and her accreditation to cover the European Games.

The British citizen has been told that her surname is included in the "red list" of persons, whose entry to Azerbaijan is banned. The border guards seized both passports of Emma Hughes and informed her that she would be deported. This is reported by the press release of the platform "Sports for Humans", which was received by the "Caucasian Knot". The platform was created by human rights defenders after Baku had started the preparations for the European Games.

"I was detained by the order of the BP-Aliev's regime. I may be deported; however, in Azerbaijan, more than 100 political prisoners got imprisoned by the regime financed by oil. The civil society of Azerbaijan is under severe pressure. Journalists, lawyers, scientists, writers, and activists have been placed behind bars. However, despite that, the European Games are supported by oil. The future of this country is in custody, while the BP (British Petroleum) is still working hand in hand with the regime," the press release of the platform "Sports for Humans" quotes Emma Hughes as stating.

The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent has been informed by a source at the British Embassy that this morning, Emma Hughes has been deported from Azerbaijan.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.