As part of World Human Rights Day, delegations of the European Union, the British, Swiss and US embassies in Azerbaijan recalled the persecution of oppositionists and journalists in this country.

Chargé d'Affaires of the US Embassy in Azerbaijan Hugo Guevara expressed concern about the arrest and indictment of Gubad Ibadoglu, journalists Ulvi Hasanli, Sevinj Vagifgyzy, Nargiz Absalamova, Aziz Orujev, as well as civil society activists Bakhtiyar Hajiyev and Muhammad Kekalov.

“We call on the Azerbaijani government to protect the rights of these individuals as part of its commitment to the Constitution and its international obligations on freedom of the press and speech,” Guevara said.

Peter Michalko, head of the European Union Delegation to Azerbaijan, said he regretted that some partners and friends could not join the event. They are under arrest.

In July 2023, economist and activist Gubad Ibadoglu was arrested for criticizing the government's corruption policies. Social activist Bakhtiyar Gadzhiev is in custody on charges of hooliganism and contempt of court. Also arrested was the presenter of Kanal-13 Internet television, Rufat Muradli, on charges of “petty hooliganism” and “disobedience to the police.”

Earlier, the head of Kanal-13, Aziz Orujov, was placed in custody in a criminal case regarding unauthorized construction. In addition, the director of the online publication Abzas Media Ulvi Hasanli, the editor-in-chief Sevinj Vagifgyzy, journalist Nargiz Absalamova, as well as activist Mohammed Kekalov, who collaborated with the news portal, were arrested. They were accused of smuggling foreign currency.