Azerbaijani journalist denied accusations of abusing honour and dignity

Elmira Alandarova, a deputy principal of a Baku school, filed a lawsuit against the journalist Sevindj Vagifgyzy (Abbasova), demanding apologies, monetary compensation, and removal a video from the network about the presidential election of April 11, 2018. Ms Vagifgyzy denies accusations of abusing honour and dignity.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the presidential election in Azerbaijan was held on April 11, 2018. According to the Central Election Commission (CEC), 86% of voters cast their ballots for Ilham Aliev. The OSCE and the PACE reported violations.

Sevindj Vagifgyzy said that she videoed the voting process at the school.

"They demanded from me to stop filming on the pretext that I was interfering with the filming crew of the pro-government television channel 'Lider TV'. Then they drew up a protocol that I allegedly violated the order and interfered with the voting," Ms Vagifgyzy said.

She posted her report ELECTIONS-2018 on the online resource "Meydan TV": "Deputy Principal controlling the 'carousel' at the election." The claimant saw in the video an abuse of her honour and dignity.

Zibeida Sadygova, a Vagifgyzy's advocate, insists that there was no violation of the law in her client's actions, as the law allows filming at polling stations.

Khadija Ismayilova, a rights defender, treats the lawsuit against Sevindj Vagifgyzy as pressure on the journalist.