Russian Journalists' Union Calls on International Organizations to Facilitate Release of Sputnik Azerbaijan Employees

The Russian Journalists' Union has sent a letter to international organizations, as well as to journalist and human rights advocacy groups, calling for the immediate release of employees of Sputnik Azerbaijan.

The union expressed deep concern and voiced a decisive protest regarding the ongoing arbitrary actions against Sputnik Azerbaijan's journalists, namely the editor-in-chief Igor Kartavikh and chief editor Evgeny Belousov. This is stated in an open letter addressed to international organizations and journalistic and human rights associations.

It is noteworthy that on June 30, Azerbaijani security forces conducted an operation during which seven employees of Sputnik Azerbaijan were arrested, and the editorial office was searched. On July 1, a Baku court sentenced Igor Kartavikh and Evgeny Belousov to four months in detention.

A criminal case has been initiated against them under articles related to fraud, illegal entrepreneurship, and the legalization of assets obtained through criminal means under the Azerbaijani Penal Code.

The letter states, “The actions of the Azerbaijani authorities, including the unfounded accusations against journalists regarding alleged connections with foreign intelligence services, are a blatant violation of Azerbaijan's international obligations as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, as well as principles of press freedom.”

On July 7, the Baku court examined appeals by the journalists' lawyers seeking to change the measure of restraint. However, the appeals were denied, and the journalists remain in custody.