Baku: Peaceful protest crushed on eve of Eurovision

May 22nd, 2012

As the world turns its attention to Azerbaijan for the Eurovision Song Contest, police crack down on dissent. Andrew Connelly reports
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Azerbaijan: “Tortured” singer flees country

May 18th, 2012

A 24-year-old Azerbaijani musician who says he was tortured by police after he insulted the country’s president during a concert has fled to Germany over concerns for his safety. Jamal Ali had criticised President Ilham Aliyev and his late mother during the concert in Baku in March, and was charged with hooliganism after an argument with the concert’s organisers. He and two other musicians were sentenced to 10 days’ detention, during which time Ali claims he was tortured. His escape comes just days before the Eurovision song contest, due to be held in the former Soviet country on 26 May.

Index calls on Azerbaijan government to protect human rights

May 18th, 2012

As the Eurovision Song Contest hits our screens next week, Index calls on the expected 125 million viewers not to ignore the human rights abuses – against journalists, artists, activists – that the Azerbaijan government presides over

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Azerbaijan: Opposition activist released

May 17th, 2012

An Azerbaijani activist who was sentenced to two years in prison following demonstrations in Baku last year, has been released before completing his jail term. Elnur Majidli, an opposition activist, was charged with disturbing public order after his involvement in protests that took place on 3 April last year. Majidli made a formal request to be released, and in a hearing on 15 May was granted release. In an interview with an opposition newspaper, Majidli said his release was “unexpected”.

Azerbaijan: Index writer arrested ahead of Eurovision

May 15th, 2012

Index on Censorship writer and youth activist Turgut Gambar was among activists arrested yesterday (14 May) during a demonstration in Baku, Azerbaian. Police violently dispersed peaceful protests ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest which will take place later this month. Specifically targeting opposition party members, police beat demonstrators at rallies in Sabir Garden in front of the city authorities’ offices. Around 300 protesters gathered to call for the release of Azerbaijan’s political prisoners.

Azerbaijan: A visit with Idrak Abbasov

May 11th, 2012

On 18 April, Index award-winner Idrak Abbasov was brutally attacked while he reported on the demolition of houses in his village. Rebecca Vincent recently visited him at his home outside Baku

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World Press Freedom Day 2012

May 3rd, 2012

The last year has seen tumultuous shifts for media freedom. But core problems still remain in the world’s troublespots, says Padraig Reidy
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Telco caught colluding with dictators

May 1st, 2012

Nordic Telecom giant TeliaSonera forced to act after evidence that its data has been abused to target, harass and jail activists in Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Belarus. Fredrik Laurin reports (more…)