International human rights coalition calls on to release Mekhman Guseinov

The Azerbaijani Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS) has condemned the verdict of guilty pronounced by the Baku Court against blogger Mekhman Guseinov, Chairman of the IRFS. A coalition of 24 international NGOs has also voiced support to Mekhman Guseinov.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on March 3, the Surakhani District Court of Baku sentenced Mekhman Guseinov to two years of imprisonment on the charge of defamation.

The statement released by the Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety on March 3 notes that the verdict of guilty pronounced against Mekhman Guseinov is punishment for his blogger's activities and work for the IRFS, aimed at "exposing the abuse of freedom of expression on international forums."

Members of the IRFS believe that Mekhman Guseinov has been arrested by the personal instructions of the Azerbaijani government.

In turn, in its statement, the international human rights coalition, including 24 NGOs, has strongly condemned the Azerbaijani authorities for the last steps on suppression of freedom of speech and expression in the country.

According to the statement jointly released by the NGOs on March 3, the verdict of guilty pronounced against Mekhman Guseinov has "proved the reluctance of the authorities to respect freedom of speech and the continuation of repression against critical voices."

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