CATEGORY: Europe and Central Asia

Defamation decriminalised in Russia

The Russian State Duma has decriminalised defamation, having passed amendments to the Criminal Code. There are two major legislative threats to freedom of expression in Russia: libel and antiextremism legislation. Both are frequently abused to...

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Azerbaijan: dangerous words

Azerbaijan: dangerous words

This weekend’s stabbing of Rafiq Tagi is a stark reminder of just how risky it can be to write about politics or religion in Azerbaijan. Emin Milli, who was jailed after criticising the government, describes the dangers of speaking out

UPDATE: Index on Censorship is sad to report that Rafiq Tagi died from his wounds in hospital on 23 November

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NTV censorship strikes again

A scandal is flaring in Russia as two segments for popular NTV programme "Unreal Politics" were shot and then blocked by NTV's management. The first one subjected the leader of a pro-government youth movement Nashi and the chairman of State...

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Azerbaijani journalist stabbed

Sanat newspaper editor Rafiq Tagi was stabbed on 19 November in Baku. He was said to be in a stable condition after several hours of surgery. In 2007, Tagi was charged with inciting national, racial and religious enmity after he published an...

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