Avaz Zeynalli, the imprisoned editor-in-chief of Khural, was charged
under Article 213.1 (evasion of taxes or other obligatory payments in
significant amount) of the Criminal Code, Nizami Hasanov (the director
of Khural) reported to the IRFS today. According to him, lawyer Elchin
Sadigov and the investigator met with Avaz Zeynalii and explained the
new charge brought against him.

Background

On March 7th investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova was
blackmailed with pictures of intimate nature. The mail received by
journalist included 6 pictures and the note: “You whore, behave, or
you will be defamed”. Author of the investigative reports about
Azerbaijani president’s family’s businesses and corruption on the
highest level, Khadija Ismayilova published the threat letter and
announced that she is not going to stop her investigations.

On April 6, at 2pm, Human Rights Club will announce the launch of a public campaign for the protection of the rights of the lifetime prisoners, including those sentenced in 1998 to death penalty, which was later replaced with lifetime imprisonment.

On April 4, at 1.30pm-3pm, at IRFS/Media Center, conclusions of the investigation into the interference with private life of journalist Khadija Ismayilova and the threats against her in regards to her journalistic work, will be unveiled and the problems regarding the investigation launched by the prosecutor’s office will be publicized.

Azərbaycan fotojurnalistikası tarixində ayrıca yeri olan, özünə xas baxış üslübü ilə fərqlənən fotomüxbir Əjdər Nağıyev aprel ayının 2-də 57 yaşında vəfat edib.

On April 2nd, lawyer Yalchin Imanov met with jailed Xural newspaper editor-in-chief Avaz Zeynalli in prison, reports Mediaforum.az news website.

The International Committee to Protect Journalists called on the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to release 6 journalists jailed in Azerbaijan (editor Avaz Zeynallyand journalist Aidyn Dzhaniyev of the independent daily Khural; reporter Anar Bayramliand his driver, Ramil Dadashev, from the Iranian broadcaster Sahar TV; editor Ramin Bayramov of the Islamic news website Islam-Azeri; and directors Zaur Guliyev and Vugar Gonagov of the regional TV channel Khayal).

The Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety (IRFS) condemns the violence against Turan Information Agency photographer Etimad Budagov and RFE/RL reporter Nushabe Fatullayeva, and assesses it as an attack on media.

Yesterday, April 2nd, Turan Information Agency photographer Etimad Budagov and RFE/RL reporter Nushaba Fatullayeva faced violence while filming the demolition of apartments at 20 Shamsi Badalbayli street, Baku, Budagov himself reported to IRFS.

The Institute of Reporters’ Freedom and Safety is concerned over the pressures used against imprisoned Vugar Gonagov (executive director of Khayal TV) and Zaur Guliyev (editor-in-chief of Khayal TV) that are currently kept at the Office on Struggle against Organized Crimes, and demands to put an end to the pressures.