No Independent Media Left in Azerbaijan as Pressures on Journalists Reach Unprecedented Levels

No independent media outlets exist in Azerbaijan, and pressures on journalists have reached unprecedented levels since 2001, the year the country joined the Council of Europe. This is stated in a report by the human rights organization Amnesty International.

The document highlights that Azerbaijani authorities systematically suppress independent journalism by employing politically motivated prosecutions and repressions. "The aim of these actions is to stifle journalistic activity and block access to independent funding," the report states.

Amnesty International also notes that charges brought against journalists, such as smuggling, illegal entrepreneurship, money laundering, or tax evasion, are often not substantiated by evidence and are used as tools to intimidate and silence them.

Particular concern arises regarding the conditions of detained journalists: according to human rights defenders, they are often denied medical assistance and have their communication with families restricted.