Aziz Orujov, head of the Azerbaijani online television channel Kanal-13, was released after two years in prison on charges of illegal construction. Orujov, who denies his guilt, has been recognized by human rights activists as a political prisoner.
His health has seriously deteriorated during his time in prison, and he will require treatment and rehabilitation to return to work. Initially, in November 2023, Orujov was accused of currency smuggling (along with Kanal-13 employee Shamo Eminov), but this charge was subsequently dropped.
Reporters Without Borders has repeatedly drawn attention to the "widespread crackdown on the independent press" in Azerbaijan. Baku ranks 167th in RSF's latest press freedom index, having fallen three places in the past year. RSF noted that the inability to finance independent publications in Azerbaijan has led them to either close or go into exile. Journalists who criticize the country's authorities and expose high-level corruption are subject to criminal prosecution on trumped-up charges of foreign currency smuggling and other offenses.
