On November 20, 2023, Azerbaijani authorities detained journalist Ulvi Hasanli, the head of the independent news site Abzas Media, and its chief editor Sevinj Vagifgizi. Journalist and activist Mahammad Kekalov has been missing since then. Forum 2000 condemns the detention and pressure on independent media and calls on Azerbaijani authorities to immediately release the journalists.
Ulvi Hasanli attended the Forum 2000 Conference in Prague in October. He was due to fly abroad from Baku airport on November 20 but did not board the plane. The Baku District Court ordered the arrested journalists to remain in custody for four months. If found guilty, they face up to eight years in prison.
After Ulvi's arrest, the police raided his apartment and searched the Abzas Media office. According to his lawyer, they found 40,000 euros in cash. Abzas Media issued a public statement accusing the authorities of planting the money and believes that these arrests are linked to its reporting on corruption surrounding individuals connected to the ruling family:
"We, Abzas Media, firmly assert that the arrest of Ulvi Hasanli and the subsequent searches of his residence and our office are directly connected to our journalistic endeavors. As Abzas Media, we hold President Ilham Aliyev accountable for this unjust detention. Our organization has presented a series of investigations exposing corruption crimes involving the president and officials appointed by him. We believe that his arrest is a response to these corruption investigations."
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Full statement of Abzas Media in English:
Dear audience, this time we do share news not about someone else, but us.
This morning, the Baku City Police Department apprehended Ulvi Hasanli, the director of Abzas Media. A search was subsequently initiated at his home and Abzas Media's office. The police "found" 40,000 euros in the office, a finding that they allegedly planted themselves.
Ulvi Hasanli had been observed with a red scar under his eye. According to him, he had been punched in the eye during the arrest; and at Baku City General Police Department, he faced inhumane treatment and torture, experiencing punches and kicks. Ulvi Hasanli mentioned that the questions posed to him at the police station were related to Abzas Media's investigations into corruption crimes.
We, Abzas Media, firmly assert that the arrest of Ulvi Hasanli and the subsequent searches of his residence and our office are directly connected to our journalistic endeavors. As Abzas Media, we hold President Ilham Aliyev accountable for this unjust detention. Our organization has presented a series of investigations exposing corruption crimes involving the president and officials appointed by him. We believe that his arrest is a response to these corruption investigations.
We are convinced that the president's objective in ordering this arrest is to silence independent media outlet and prevent information about corruption crimes from reaching the public. However, as Abzas Media, no arrest or pressure tactics can deter us from delivering accurate news to you. You, citizens, deserve the right to information, and you have the right to know how your taxes are being utilized. Our detention will in no way impede your freedom to receive information.
We demand the immediate release of Ulvi Hasanli and an end to unjust political attacks on our organization.
We will continue our investigative efforts unabated.
