Aliyev has eliminated any phenomenon of pluralism: Greek publication's commentary on Azerbaijani journalists

The Greek publication "Greek City Times" has published an extensive article regarding the repression of independent journalists in Azerbaijan. According to "Armenpress", the author first referenced Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis's statement, where he described the IGB (Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria) as a "pipeline of values" that connects Greece’s national gas transmission system with Bulgaria’s network and can transport billions of cubic meters of gas from Azerbaijan annually.

Addressing Azerbaijan's ongoing ethnic cleansing policy against the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, the author questioned the relevance of such statements from the Greek leadership. "If we also look at the media sector, the values that Mitsotakis talks about are insufficient. According to the report by 'Reporters Without Borders': 'President Ilham Aliyev has eliminated any phenomenon of pluralism, and since 2014, he has ruthlessly sought to silence all remaining critics.' There is no independent television or radio broadcasting within the country, and all print media with critical views have been shut down. Most independent news sites targeted by state censorship, such as Azadliq and Meydan TV, operate abroad," the article states.

The author of "Greek City Times" also explains that no official or police officer has been punished for assaulting or insulting journalists in the past 20 years, and that "the Baku regime is attempting to silence independent journalists in exile by exerting pressure on their friends and relatives who remain in the country." “However, more concerning is that Aliyev's regime exports its attacks on journalists beyond Azerbaijan's borders,” the author notes.

The journalist from "Greek City Times" detailed attacks on journalists in 2022 and their murders outside Azerbaijan's borders. On May 31, Azerbaijani blogger Tural Sadoglu, who resides in Germany but is currently in the UK, reported that Azerbaijani authorities are plotting against him. "I assure you, my life is in serious danger. This time they are planning something against me. The relevant instructions have been given by the President's office. That’s why my parents will hold a protest in front of the Presidential Office in Baku tomorrow. I ask political parties, human rights defenders, activists, and journalists to support them," Sadoglu wrote on his Facebook page.

Later, Afghan Mukhtarli, an Azerbaijani journalist and former political prisoner living in Germany, confirmed the threat to the blogger's life on his social media. "Azerbaijani immigrant and blogger residing in Germany, Tural Sadoglu, has written about a serious threat to his life. The Aliyev regime has repeatedly detained, abducted, and blackmailed its opponents living abroad. Ilham Aliyev has used terrorist groups against those he could not arrest. Last year, Bayram Mammadov was killed in Istanbul, Vugar Rza in Belgium, and Huseyn Bakikhanov in Tbilisi. Attempts have been made to murder Magomed Mirzali, Orkhan Agayev, Ordokhan Babirov, and Gabil Mamedov. The French police have arrested several people for the attempted murder of Magomed Mirzali. The threat to kill Tural Sadoglu and the search for his residence is a serious issue. European law enforcement must ensure Tural's security,” Mukhtarli stated.

The author also cites a report from "Infoteka24" about another attack on an Azerbaijani opposition blogger in Europe. This time, the victim was blogger Manaf Jaliizadeh, known for criticizing Ilham Aliyev and Mehriban Aliyeva. The fact of the attack on Manaf Jaliizadeh has also been referred to by Azerbaijani opposition blogger Mirzali Muhamad living in France. "Blogger Manaf Jaliizadeh, residing in Switzerland, was brutally beaten in front of his home by three Azerbaijanis on April 29, 2022. His condition is very serious," he wrote on his Twitter page.

According to the journalist from "Greek City Times", these are just a few examples from 2022, but similar incidents can be highlighted in each year of Azerbaijan's post-Soviet period.