Day: December 12, 2024

On December 12, international media freedom, journalists and human rights organizations issued a letter addressed to the leaders of the EU institutions, asking them to act in response to the violence by the Georgian authorities against media representatives.

The letter is addressed to the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Council António Costa, President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas.

The organizations express “deep concern” about the violence on the streets of Tbilisi “deliberately targeting journalists,” noting that the scale of the crackdown since November 28 is “unprecedented” and calling on EU leaders “to use all its influence to bring a rapid end to the repression of journalists in Georgia.”

They note that Georgian Government’s “brutal crackdown” that counts more than 90 media workers as victims, with vast majority representing critical media, is not an “isolated incident but part of a rapid deterioration of press freedom and of targeted violence and impunity for crimes against journalists.”

“The scaling back of democratic freedom and rising authoritarianism in Georgia, an EU candidate country, cannot be overlooked. The European Union must stand firm in its commitment to defending press freedom and civil liberties in Georgia,” the letter reads. The organizations ask the European Union leaders to “unequivocally and publicly demand” that Georgia meets the following press freedom requirements:

• Provide safe and enabling environment for all journalist and ensure they can report the protests without obstruction 
• Guarantee the safety of all journalists, including facilitating the delivery of newsgathering equipment, safety gear, and safety training;
• Ensure accountability for those responsible for all crimes against journalists. This must include fully transparent investigations and appropriate sanctions for all those involved.

“We urge you to place effective pressure on the Georgian authorities to halt the crackdown and ensure accountability, which could include targeted sanctions against those responsible for attacks on journalists. Furthermore, we call on you to publicly demand that the Georgian Dream ruling party respect journalists’ right to report on ongoing demonstrations without fear for their safety,” concludes the statement.

Also Read:

• 12/12/2024 – Over 35 CoE Countries Say the Authorities are Failing on their Commitments
• 10/12/2024 – President Urges International Action Amidst State-Sponsored Violence, Honors Journalists
• 09/12/2024 – EU Ambassador Condemns Violence Against Demonstrators, Journalists
• 29/11/2024 – Watchdog: Police Target Journalists, Many Injured

Oil prices remain stable after a steady rise following the results of the previous trading session, Azernews reports.

Anthony Blinken: “She returned knowing that she might be arrested on arrival.”

The U.S. Department of State awarded Sevinj Vagifgizi, the editor-in-chief of AbzasMedia, with the “Champions of Combating Corruption” award.

Sevinj is known for her work on corruption investigations, and she is currently imprisoned.

In his speech, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighted Sevinj’s devotion over the past decade in exposing government abuses.

“She is also the one awardee who is not with us this afternoon. In November 2023, Sevinj flew home from an overseas country amid a crackdown on Azerbaijani independent media. She returned knowing that she might be arrested on arrival. She was. Now, more than a year later, she remains in detention. Prior to her arrest Sevinj wrote and I quote, ‘I don’t feel fear anymore. I know what they can do. It does not stop me. It is more important to be useful to the people. People need us’”

-Antony Blinken

Blinken also expressed gratitude to the ten anti-corruption champions for their courage. He said it was an honor to partner with them in this fight. The Department of State created the “Champions of Combating Corruption” award in 2021 to recognize individuals who have made significant progress in fighting corruption and to show the U.S. government’s solidarity with them.

This year’s award recipients include journalists, human rights defenders, judges, and even government officials who have facilitated major institutional changes. Other awardees include Jorge Mora Cortes from Colombia, Matrika Daxal from Nepal, Altin Dumani from Albania, Srbukhy Galyan from Armenia, Carl Irani from Lebanon, Marr Nyang from Gambia, Javier Enrique Caraballo Salazar from Panama, Didar Smagulov from Kazakhstan, and Jimmy Spyre Ssentongo from Uganda. Blinken emphasized that each recipient made a difficult decision to help their own citizens and all the people around the world, and their dedication, along with those of others, we are in a better place now.

AbzasMedia, the organization behind Sevinj’s work, has also faced significant challenges. Six of its employees, including the general manager Ulvi Hasanlı, assistant Muhammad Kekalov, editor Sevinj Vagifgiz, reporters Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Gasimova, and investigative journalist Hafız Babali, have been arrested. These individuals are facing charges of smuggling, with some detained since November 2023.

On May 31, 2024, journalist and economist Farid Mehralizade from the “Azadlig” radio station was arrested, and a search was conducted at his home. He was accused under Article 206.3.2 of the Penal Code, which concerns smuggling by a group of individuals who had previously made secret agreements. The Khatai District Court decided to detain him for security reasons. On the same day, AbzasMedia issued a statement declaring that Mehralizade had no connection to the media organization.

Following this, each of the detainees in the AbzasMedia case was faced with additional serious charges related to financial matters. Since November 2023, nearly 20 journalists and social activists have been arrested in Azerbaijan on smuggling charges. None of these individuals have been charged based on their professional activities or political affiliations.

According to local human rights organizations, there are currently around 300 political prisoners in Azerbaijani prisons. Authorities typically assert that no one has been detained solely for political reasons related to their professional activities. However, both local and international human rights organizations believe these arrests are politically motivated, and they are calling for the release of the detainees and the withdrawal of the charges against them.

The post Sevinj Vagifgizi honored as anti-corruption champion appeared first on MEYDAN.TV.

We repost this piece on our imprisoned journalist Natig Javadli from Turan Agency.

Public figure and scholar Dr. Jamil Hasanly has expressed deep concern over the arrest of Natig Javadli, a journalist from Meydan TV, who has been charged with smuggling and placed in four months of pre-trial detention. For those familiar with him, this turn of events is hard to believe. Known for his integrity, intellect, and devotion to the truth, Javadli is considered one of Azerbaijan’s most respected journalists and thinkers.

For decades, Javadli has been a symbol of honesty and justice in a country where such qualities are increasingly rare. Those who know him describe him as a man of unwavering principles, dedicated to seeking the truth and improving society. His arrest on these dubious charges has raised questions about the state of the judicial system in Azerbaijan.

“If Natig Javadli is accused of smuggling, it calls into question not only his honesty but also the integrity of the entire judicial system in this country,” Hasanly stated. “He is a person whose entire life has been a testament to honesty and intellectual rigor.”

Javadli’s steadfast commitment to his ideals is deeply rooted in his upbringing. His father was among those who participated in the anti-Soviet protests in Sumgait in 1963—a bold challenge to the Soviet regime. Although suppressed, these protests became a symbol of resistance for an entire generation. The elder Javadly’s courageous actions left an indelible legacy of defiance and resilience, which clearly shaped his son’s worldview.

Natig Javadli’s intellectual pursuits have been a hallmark of his life. A historian by training, he is known for his voracious reading habits and profound engagement with historical literature. In the days leading up to his arrest, he was reportedly reading Mustafa Kemal by Yılmaz Özdil alongside European History (Modern Period) by Rovshan Hatemov. His friends often marveled at his ability to synthesize historical knowledge into his journalism, adding depth and perspective to his work.

Javadli’s career as a journalist has been marked by an unwavering dedication to uncovering the truth, often at great personal cost. He has faced harassment, smear campaigns, and threats of imprisonment but has remained resolute in his mission. His reporting has consistently sought to hold power accountable and shed light on issues frequently ignored in mainstream discourse.

In a media landscape increasingly dominated by self-censorship and fear, Javadli has been a beacon of courage. His work reflects a belief once expressed by Azerbaijani leader Mammad Amin Rasulzade—that the sacred duty of the pen is to serve truth and the nation.

Javadli’s arrest occurred shortly after his return from a medical leave, raising suspicions about the timing of the charges. “He was detained on his first day back at work after medical leave,” Hasanly noted. “This timing suggests a deliberate and premeditated plan to silence him.”

The smuggling charges have been widely dismissed by his supporters as baseless. Observers argue that such accusations serve as a tool to suppress dissent and divert attention from broader governance and justice issues in the country.

Javadli’s case has become a litmus test for the state of human rights and freedom of speech in Azerbaijan. His detention has been compared to the practices of authoritarian regimes, where justice is wielded as an instrument of repression rather than a guarantor of rights.

“If someone like Natig Javadli—an intellectual, patriot, and symbol of honesty—can be arrested on false charges, it points to a deep crisis in the justice system,” Hasanly declared.

The journalist’s plight resonates beyond his profession. His life, characterized by simplicity, intellectual depth, and adherence to moral principles, serves as a reminder of the values at stake in Azerbaijan’s ongoing struggle for justice and democracy.

Javadli remains, in the words of one admirer, “a man whose moral principles have never wavered, even in the face of unimaginable adversity.” Whether his case will inspire broader demands for justice or become yet another grim chapter in Azerbaijan’s troubled history remains to be seen.

For now, his arrest stands as a stark reminder of the fragility of truth in a society where power often overshadows justice.

The post Natig Javadli – A Symbol of Honesty and Justice appeared first on MEYDAN.TV.

This is why Messi was in Azerbaijan this week, and why he may be in Las Vegas in January  Miami Herald

The undocking of SpaceX’s Cargo Dragon spacecraft from the International Space Station (ISS) has been postponed once again and is now scheduled to take place no earlier than December 14, according to NASA, Azernews reports.

Biden readies travel bans on Georgia officials for undermining October election  The Hill

Biden readies travel bans on Georgia officials for undermining October election  The Hill

Biden readies travel bans on Georgia officials for undermining October election  The Hill

Biden readies travel bans on Georgia officials for undermining October election  The Hill