Azadliq Radio Baku Bureau Sealed Shut

Geopolitical Monitor writes about Azerbaijan, Azadliq Radio and Khadija Ismayilova

Jax Jacobsen asks why is it that there isn't much news about the on-going crackdown in the post- Soviet Azerbaijan.

Jacobsen then lists some of the most recent cases including the case of Khadija Ismayilova and Azadliq Radio.

"The clampdown on independent outlets has picked up speed in recent months, analysts note. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, Azerbaijan is in the list of top 10 jailers of reporters, and jailed 9 journalists as well as four activists for creating Facebook groups which posted articles critical of government corruption. Azerbaijan has twice as many political prisoners as do Russia and Belarus combined, McCain Institute Senior Director David J. Kramer said in a Jan. 4 editorial in The Wall Street Journal.

The campaign against journalists and activists comes as Ramiz Mehdiyev, seen as a key ally to President Aliyev, released a bizarre 60-page report which accused the United States of funding non-governmental organizations in an effort to overthrow the president."

BBC writes on Azerbaijan's political prisoners, the recent crackdown and the shut down of RFE/RL office

Emin Huseynov, Leyla and Arif Yunus, Rasul Jafar, Intigam Aliyev, Khadija Ismayilova are just some of the names mentioned in this BBC article.

These individuals "have earned recognition for their work from the international community. But Azeri officials, such as President Ilham Aliyev's chief adviser Ramiz Mehdiyev, have branded them "traitors" reads the article.

Pressure against radio staff in Baku continues

February 24, former Baku bureau chief, Babek Bakirov was stopped at the Baku airport and prevented from leaving the country.

Bakirov was told he has a travel ban. No prior notification was given to Bakirov. Similar ban was imposed on Khadija Ismayilova in September of last year.

In another case, radio's former freelancer was called into questioning at the prosecutor's office.

In addition, today, February 24, Shahveled Chobanoglu, editor of "Alternative Thought" paper - a project of Azadliq Radiosu - was invited for questioning at the prosecutor office. Chobanoglu said the questioning is related to his work with the radio. A tax officer will also be present during the questioning.