Police continues to question Azadliq Radio Baku bureau staff
Yesterday January 8, Azer Ali and Mushvig Cabbar, freelance reporters were summoned for questioning.
Earlier today, Islam Shikhali, Baku reporter was called into district police. Shikhali was already questioned by the police the day Baku bureau was sealed shut on December 26.
Senator Robert Menendez condemns raid on RFE/RL Baku bureau
In a letter addressed to President Ilham Aliyev, Senator Menendez writes of "deep concern" over the raid and the closure of RFE/RL Baku bureau.
"This represents the most recent incident in a long-term harassment campaign against independent media outlets and nongovernmental organizations operating in Azerbaijan, as well as a flagrant violation of Azerbaijan's commitments to uphold international standards, rule of law, and respect for human rights" wrote Senator Menendez."
"Azerbaijan's crackdown on the media, civil society, and all forms of nonviolent political dissent is a serious impediment to progress in the U.S. - Azerbaijani bilateral relationship. I urge you to condemn the December 26th raid of RFE/RL's Baku Bureau by members of the Azerbaijan Prosecutor's Office and allow RFE/RL's bureau and employees to resume their regular journalistic activities. Further, I call on you to release Ms. Ismayilova, Ms. Yunus, and the other 100+ political prisoners currently imprisoned in your country."
Asim Mollazade, Azerbaijani MP claims Azadliq Radio abandoned objective journalism
Washington Post published letter from Asim Mollazade where MP claims the author, Jeffrey Gedmin "ignored the strategic realities and illustrated the counterproductive ideological campaign against Azerbaijan" in his piece "The 'broken window' approach to international relations".
Mollazade also claims Azadliq Radio "abandoned its principles of objective journalism and has become no more than a mouthpiece for the personal agenda of President Aliyev's enemies. These personal attacks have weakened RFE/RL's stellar reputation."
"The crakcdown on independent voices in Azerbaijan", discussion
The International Forum for Democratic Studies at the National Endowment for Democracy held a discussion on the current crackdown in Azerbaijan. Among the speakers were Altay Goyushov, Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellow, NED; Kenan Aliyev, Director of RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service; Audrey Aldstadt, fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars; Catherine Cosman, Senior Policy analyst; Thomas Melia, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, DRL; Miriam Lanskoy, Director of Russian and Eurasia Programs, NED.