IRFS calls on Western countries to impose sanctions against government of Azerbaijan

Today, the Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS) has released a statement condemning the authorities of Azerbaijan for a new wave of attacks on freedom of expression in the country. The IRFS has also called on the Western countries and agencies to impose sanctions.

As examples of the manifestation of pressure, the IRFS mentions the arrest of Aziz Orudjov, the chief of the independent Internet TV Channel, the use of torture against journalist Nijat Amiraslanov, subjected to administrative arrested, the strengthening of the defamation laws, and, finally, the 'heinous cross-border kidnapping of journalist Afghan Mukhtarly from Georgia" and his arrest in Azerbaijan.

"The intensified suppression of freedom of speech is also associated with the intensification of nepotism and corruption of the ruling family of Azerbaijan," said Emin Guseinov, the general director of the IRFS, who is in political emigration in Europe.

According to him, it was after Ilham Aliev appointed his wife Mekhriban Alieva the First Vice-President of Azerbaijan when the authorities launched large-scale repressions against critics.

Taking into account the critical situation in connection with the Azerbaijani authorities, the IRFS has urged the European Union (EU) and the United States to suspend all programmes of cooperation with the Azerbaijani authorities and instead distribute those funds to ensure the survival and development of independent civil society institutions that are on the verge of total annihilation.

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