31 May 2019 | Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan Incident Reports
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Index on Censorship’s Monitoring and Advocating for Media Freedom project tracks press freedom violations in five countries: Azerbaijan, Belarus, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine. Learn more.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”11 Incidents” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]
Journalist taken to court
27 May 2019 – Journalist Sevinc Vagifqizi was taken to court, in connection with her reportage about a school teacher who was involved in carousel voting on the day of presidential election in Azerbaijan, repored, Azadliq Radio, Azerbaijan Service for Radio Free Europe.
Elmira Alandarova who is also the deputy principal, claims Vagifgizi’s coverage of her as someone who has manipulated the voting day and the results was a stain for her honor and dignity. Alandarova claims she was not involved in carousel voting, even though Vagifgizi’s reporting clearly shows how Alandarova directed the carousel voting at the polling station.
Vagifgizi refutes the accusations and says they are baseless considering the same woman tried taking Vagifgizi to court right after the election but the case was closed because there was lack of evidence.
The trial will continue on June 10.
Alandarova demands that Vagifgizi apologise for damaging Alandarova’s reputation; tht the media platforms where the footage was published removes all of the footage, apologize and that Vagifgizi pays Alandarova 2500AZN.
Links: https://www.azadliq.org/a/jurnalist-se%C3%A7ki-reportaj%C4%B1na-g%C3%B6r%C9%99-m%C9%99hk%C9%99m%C9%99y%C9%99-verilib/29965093.html
https://aqreqator.az/az/siyaset/88514
Categories: criminal charges/fines/sentence; intimidation; subpoena/court order/lawsuit;
Sources of violation: known private individual;
Journalist sentenced to a 10-day administrative detention
27 May 2019 – Journalist Sakhavat Mammad, with Yenicag.az online newspaper, was sentenced to ten days in administrative detention, reported independent Meydan TV.
Although at first, it was reported that the reason for the journalist’s detention was a blog post he wrote in response to the news of a recent resignation of Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan the court later said, the real cause for his detention was not paying aliments.
Yenicag claims Mammad was subject to a series of attacks over his story on the retired chief of staff and that he had no intention of running away or not paying the aliments. The court in Agdam however, ruled instead to sentence the journalist to the administrative detention.
Mammad himself, writing in his story about the resignation claimed that he was attacked by a troll army when he covered the resignation story.
Azerbaijani NGO Human Rights Club also confirmed that the detention is likely connected to the story about the general.
Links: https://modern.az/az/news/201952
https://www.meydan.tv/az/article/jurnalist-10-sutkaliq-inzibati-hebs-edilib/?ref=list-news
https://www.humanrightsclub.net/x%C9%99b%C9%99rl%C9%99r/2019/1668/
http://minval.info/jurnalist-s-xav-t-m-mm-d-h-bs-edilib-foto/120641
Categories: legal measures, arrest/detention/interrogation; criminal charges/fines/sentences; court order;
Source of violation: police/state security; court/judicial;
Police detain reporter Ayrac Ahmadova
23 May 2019 – Journalist Ayrac Ahmadova was taken to the police reported independent Meydan TV.
According to the journalist herself, she was not even filming when the police came and took her to the station. “I was waiting for the employees of Footbal+ newspaper when police came and took me to the station and held me there against the law for three hours”, explained Ahmadova.
Ahmadova also said, two other reporters Fargana Novruzova and Turkan Bashiri were stopped forcefuly by the police. One of the women reporters, shared how police ripped her jacket.
Ahmadova also said the police warned her, that from now on, no reporter could film without a permission outside the premises of the Presidential Allaparatus.
Links:
https://www.meydan.tv/az/article/polis-prezident-administrasiyasi-qarsisinda-cekilis-isteyine-gore-de-saxlayacaq/?ref=list-news
http://arqument.az/az/3-jurnalist-prezident-administrasiyasnn-qarssnda-saxlanlb/
Categories: arrest/detention/interrogation;
Source of violation: police/state security
Police intervene in a protest organized by newspaper staff
23 May 2019 – A group of reporters from Futbol+ sports newspaper were prevented by the police from protesting outside the Presidential Administration reported independent Meydan TV.
The protest was a result of the state fund for mass media not allocating any money for the newspaper Futbol+
The state fund has justified its decision by telling the newspaper management they were not social or political but the newspaper management claims that are plenty of newspapers the fund supports that are not social or political in their nature.
Futbol+ was established in 1997. Its founder is Vugar Mammadov and editor in chief Mahir Rustamli. The newspaper employs around 30 journalists.
The editor in chief Mahir Rustamli promised to set up a meeting with the presidential apparatus to find further solution.
The group held a similar protest in April.
Links:
https://www.meydan.tv/az/article/polis-futbol-qezetinin-emekdaslarinin-aksiyasina-mane-olub/?ref=list-news
http://hurriyyet.org/xeber/quotfutbolquot_qezetinin_emekdaslari_aksiya_kecirdi_-_prezident_mracit_olundu_-_fotolar
Categories: blocked access; censorship; other
Source of violation: police/state security
Journalist’s accreditation cancelled ahead of the Europa League final
20 May 2019 – Turan News Agency reporter Aziz Karimov lost his accreditation to cover the upcoming UEFA Europa League Final to be held in Baku on May 28, reported Meydan TV.
Although at first Karimov received accreditation from UEFA, three days later, UEFA informed the journalist his accreditation was cancelled.
When Karimov inquired with the UEFA for the reasons of this decision, the photojournalist was told that it was the local authorities who refused the accreditation to Karimov not UEFA.
Previously, the news agency Karimov represents – TURAN was also not allowed to cover the Formula 1 race that took place just a month ago in Baku.
Updates:
25 May 2019 – UEFA confirmed the accreditation of Karimov and explained the refusal, as a mistake.
Links:
https://www.meydan.tv/az/article/turan-emekdasinin-akkreditasiya-problemi-hell-olundu/?ref=list-news
https://d9mc3ts4czbpr.cloudfront.net/az/article/turan-agentliyinin-emekdasina-akkreditasiya-qadagasi-qoyulub/?ref=list-news
http://faktxeber.com/turan-agentliyinin-mkdana-akkreditasiya-qadaas-qoyulub_h532066.html
http://toplum.tv/az/fotomuxbir-eziz-kerimova-akkreditasiya-qadaasi-qoyulub/
Categories: intimidation; blocked access;
Source of violation: police/state security; government/state agency/public official/political party;
Azerbaijani journalist based in Russia subject to deportation
18 May 2019 – Fuad Abbasov, an Azerbaijani journalist based in Russia, is being deported from Moscow reported Berlin based Meydan TV.
It has been reported that several Azerbaijani individuals based in Moscow have complained to Russian authorities asking them to deport Abbasov.
Abbasov was based in Moscow.
The local court in Moscow ruled in favor and currently the deportation papers are being processed.
Updates
30 May 2019 – Abbasov will return to Azerbaijan on 31 May according to independent Meydan TV.
Although there is an appeal made to the local court on illegal deportation, unless the administrative detention where Abbasov has been placed receives the court decision by tomorrow Abbasov will be deported on 31 May.
22 May 2019 – Group of activists and family members of Abbasov have gathered outside the Russian Embassy in Baku protesting the arret of Abbasov and calling for his immediate release.
20 May 2019 – The embassy of Azerbaijan in Russia met with Abbasov reported Meydan TV.
The embassy also noted that it is following the case closely.
Links: http://qafqazinfo.az/news/detail/fuad-abbasov-moskvada-saxlanilib-deportasiya-edilirfoto-252650
https://www.meydan.tv/ru/article/azerbaycanli-jurnalist-moskvada-saxlanilib/
https://report.az/en/incident/azerbaijani-journalist-fuad-abbasov-detained-in-moscow-and-deported-fr/
https://youtu.be/DkW5QSIGOyY
https://d9mc3ts4czbpr.cloudfront.net/az/article/azerbaycan-sefirliyinin-emekdaslari-moskvada-saxlanilan-fuad-abbasovla-gorusubler/?ref=list-news
https://www.meydan.tv/az/article/fuad-abbasovun-rusiyadan-deportasiya-edileceyi-tarix-melum-olub/?ref=list-news
Categories: arrest/detention; legal measures; court order/lawsuits; criminal charges/ fines/ sentence;
Source of violation: police/state security; government; court/judicial;
Journalist detained while covering a protest
18 May 2019 – Freelance reporter Nurlan Libre was detained while covering a protest in Sovetski neighborhood in the capital of Baku, reported Azerbaijan Service for Radio Free Europe.
Libre, was covering the residents’ protest who were unsatisfied with the compensation offered to them by the authorities for their homes that were being demolished.
Libre was released later during the day with the rest of the residents who were also detained by the local police.
In an interview with Azerbaijan Service for Radio Free Europe, Libre said, police told him they arrested him because the rest of the reporters covering the protest were women.
Links: https://www.azadliq.org/a/sovetski-etiraz-sokuntu-naraziliq/29949635.html
http://www.turan.az/ext/news/2019/5/free/Social/en/81082.htm
Categories: Arrest/detention
Source of violation: Police/state security
Journalist receives a warning from the prosecutor’s office
15 May 2019 – Journalist Anar Mammadov received a warning from the prosecutor office reported independent Meydan TV.
Mammadov explains while at the prosecutor office, he was told to stop writing stories about SOCAR- the state oil company.
Background:
18 March 2019 – Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced Anar Mammadov, editor of an independent news website criminalaz.com to five years and 6 months of suspended sentence reported Azadliq Radio, Azerbaijan Service for Radio Free Europe.
Mammadov, is currently on a two year probation period. He cannot leave the country and must report to the relevant state body.
Mammadov considers himself innocent.
Criminal.az is an independent website covering predominantly crime-related stories. The website was blocked by the authorities in 2017, along with a number of other critical and independent news websites. It later began operating under the criminalaz.com domain, which was recently blocked.
Mammadov was questioned after publishing reports on an attempt on the life of the mayor of Ganja, Elmar Valiyev, on 3 July 2018.
Links:
https://www.meydan.tv/az/article/bas-redaktor-prokurorluq-socar-la-bagli-yazilarima-gore-xeberdarliq-etdi/?ref=list-news
https://mappingmediafreedom.ushahidi.io/posts/22461
https://www.azadliq.org/a/daha-bir-jurnalist%C9%99-5-il-6-ayl%C4%B1q-c%C9%99za/29828069.html
Categories: Arrest/detention/interrogation; intimidation; offline harassment;
Source of violation: Police/state security
Meydan TV targeted with DDoS attacks
9 May 2019 – After publishing an investigative story about SOCAR – the State Oil Company, the website of Meydan TV, that is already being blocked for access in Azerbaijan since 2017 received multiple DDoS attacks, reported independent Contact.az.
This is not the first time, the website is DDoSed after running a critical story or an investigative piece.
Links:
http://www.contact.az/ext/news/2019/5/free/Social/en/80843.htm
https://www.azadliq.org/a/meydan-tv-hucum/29930842.html
Categories: Blocked access; DDoS; Censorship;
Source of violation: unknown
Lawyer unable to access jailed journalist
8 May 2019 – Lawyer Elchin Sadigov was unable to meet with jailed journalist Afgan Mukhtarli during his prison visit, reported Azerbaijan service for Radio Free Europe. Speaking to the Azerbaijani service of the radio, Sadigov said although at first he was informed it will take a few minutes to process his visit. Bur rather than receiving the permission he was told no visits were allowed after 16.30 in the afternoon.
Sadigov said, lawyers were able to meet with their defendants as long as they came before 17.00.
The penitentiary service where journalist Mukhtarli is being held, so far, has not provided any explanation.
Links:
https://www.azadliq.org/a/v%C9%99kili-%C9%99fqan-muxtarl%C4%B1-il%C9%99-g%C3%B6r%C3%BC%C5%9F%C9%99-bilm%C9%99yib/29929172.html
https://www.amerikaninsesi.org/a/v%D3%99kil-%D3%99fqan-muxtarl%C4%B1-il%D3%99-g%C3%B6r%C3%BC%C5%9F%C9%99-burax%C4%B1lmad%C4%B1%C4%9F%C4%B1n%C4%B1-deyir/4909110.html
http://gozetci.az/en/reports/223/
Categories: Arrest/detention/interrogation; Other Serious Issues
Source of violation: police/state security;
Journalist arrested on trumped-up drug charges
1 May 2019 – Journalist Shafag Agajan was detained during a police raid in the capital of Azerbaijan, reported independent, Berlin-based Meydan TV.
Agajan, is the head of Bakupress, National News Agency.
According to police reports, Agajan was detained during a police raid against illegal drug sales across from a local hospital located in Baku.
Agajan refutes all the claims, and said it is a measure taken against her, by the authorities, after her news agency, published a story about Ali Hasanov, the presidential aide and his direct influence in the sale of drugs at local pharmacies.
Agajan, was sentenced to three months in pre-trial detention on May 3. Following the court decision, Agajan said she is going on a hunger strike in protest against the court ruling.
Links:
http://bakupress.az/az/newss/10574/eli-hesenov-apteklerde-psixotrop-dermanlarin-satisina-havadarliq-edir-video
https://sputnik.az/incidents/20190502/420261392/jurnalist-hebs-edildi.html
https://www.meydan.tv/en/article/sefeq-agacan-etiraz-olaraq-bu-gunden-acliq-aksiyasina-baslayiram/
https://d9mc3ts4czbpr.cloudfront.net/az/article/narkotik-satmaqda-subheli-bilinen-bas-redaktor-saxlanilib/?ref=homepage-news
Categories: Arrest/Detention/Interrogation; Criminal Charges/Fines/Sentences; Legal Measures
Source of violation: Police/state security; Court/judicial; [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_basic_grid post_type=”post” max_items=”4″ element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1575028637345-41c57c95-1f54-6″ taxonomies=”8996″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
31 May 2019 | Belarus, Belarus Incident Reports
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Index on Censorship’s Monitoring and Advocating for Media Freedom project tracks press freedom violations in five countries: Azerbaijan, Belarus, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine. Learn more.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”8 Incidents” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”Blogger Piatrukhin detained to prevent him from covering ecological protest in Brest” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]
26 May 2019 – Blogger Siarhei Piatrukhin was preventively detained by the Brest police on the basis of a flimsy pretext and taken to the Leninski district police department shortly before the start of an ecological protest. He had to spend about an hour at the station.
For more than a year, Brest residents have been protesting against the construction and launch of the iPower battery plant in the Brest free economic zone which may harm the environment in the region.
Link(s)
https://belsat.eu/en/news/ahead-of-protests-brest-blogger-preventively-detained/
Categories: Arrest/Detention; Blocked Access
Source of violation: Police/State security[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”President signs decree allowing the blocking of websites during the European Games” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]
20 May 2019 – President Lukashenko signed decree №19 on security measures during the European Games in Minsk (17 June to 2 July).
The authorities intend to temporarily block all the websites calling for participation in unauthorized protests during the European Games in Belarus. According to the document, from 20 May to 30 June this year such websites are to be detected and to be blacklisted within 24 hours.
In addition, the decree also prohibits the use drones at sports venues, hotels and fan zones during the European Games. Unauthorised drones will be seized until 2 July. The exception is the equipment belonging to the governmental bodies and the Games organizers.
Link(s)
https://baj.by/en/content/belarusian-government-block-websites-calling-protests-during-european-games
http://charter97.link/en/news/2019/5/21/334837/
Category: Legal Measures
Source of violation: Government[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Investigative journalist makes statement on his discrediting by Russian propaganda websites” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]16 May 2019 – The editor of the Belarusian service of the International Volunteer Community Inform Napalm and journalist for the Novy Chas newspaper Dzianis Ivashyn made an official statement on the smear campaign against him by some Russian websites. Ivashyn noted that some representatives of Belarusian media outlets are engaged in this campaign as well. The campaign began in mid-April 2019.
The main participants of the campaign, according to Ivashyn, are antimaydan.info, news-front.info, novorosinform.org, politnavigator.net, telegram channels 338 and Trikotazh and several others.
Ivashyn said he believes security ministries of the Russian Federation are behind the campaign due to the nature, method and channels of dissemination of disinformation about him.
Link(s)
https://baj.by/be/content/belaruski-zhurnalist-zayaulyae-pra-cisk-z-boku-rasiyskih-internet-resursau
Categories: Online Discredit
Source of violation: Another media[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Investigative journalist makes statement on his discrediting by Russian propaganda websites” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]16 May 2019 – The editor of the Belarusian service of the International Volunteer Community Inform Napalm and journalist for the Novy Chas newspaper Dzianis Ivashyn made an official statement on the smear campaign against him by some Russian websites. Ivashyn noted that some representatives of Belarusian media outlets are engaged in this campaign as well. The campaign began in mid-April 2019.
The main participants of the campaign, according to Ivashyn, are antimaydan.info, news-front.info, novorosinform.org, politnavigator.net, telegram channels 338 and Trikotazh and several others.
Ivashyn said he believes security ministries of the Russian Federation are behind the campaign due to the nature, method and channels of dissemination of disinformation about him.
Link(s)
https://baj.by/be/content/belaruski-zhurnalist-zayaulyae-pra-cisk-z-boku-rasiyskih-internet-resursau
Categories: Online Discredit
Source of violation: Another media[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Radio Racyja’s journalist failed to obtain accreditation from foreign ministry” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]15 May 2019 – The Belarusian ministry of foreign affairs denied accreditation to Yauhen Skrabets, a journalist for the Belarusian Radio Raciya (Poland), as a foreign correspondent.
In response to Yauhen Vapa, the head of the radio station, the ministry said that the accreditation had been denied because Radio Raciya had previously used non-accredited journalists in the last six months.
Link(s)
https://baj.by/be/content/mzs-belarusi-admovila-u-akredytacyi-yashche-adnamu-zhurnalistu-radyyo-racyya-kopiya-adkazu
Categories: Blocked Access; Legal Measures
Source of violation: State Agency[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Two independent journalist from Vitsebsk fined” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]15 May 2019 – The trial of independent journalists Alena Shabunia and Viachaslau Lazarau took place in the Navapolatsk town court. A judge found both journalists guilty of “illegal production and distribution of media content” under Article 22.9 of the Code of Administrative Offenses and fined them 637.50 Belarusian rubles (more than 300 dollars) each.
The pair were on trial because their video of an accident at the Polimir Navapolatsk enterprise was shown on Belsat TV channel.
Link(s)
http://charter97.link/en/news/2019/5/16/334236/
https://baj.by/be/content/vicebskih-zhurnalistau-ashtrafavali-za-videasyuzhet-pra-avaryyu-na-zavodze-palimir
Category: Fines
Source(s) of violation: Police, Court[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Foreign Ministry refused to accredit Radio Racyja journalist for the tenth time” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]14 May 2019 – A foreign ministry officer told Hrodna journalist Victar Parfionenka in a telephone conversation that he has been denied accreditation again.
Parfionenka has been contributing to the Belarusian Radio Racyja registered in Poland for 10 years. Every year he appeals to the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for accreditation as a foreign correspondent and always gets rejected.
Link(s)
https://m.charter97.org/ru/news/2019/5/13/333944/
Categories: Blocked Access; Legal Measures
Source of violation: State Agency[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Ingush blogger detained and deported to Russia without trial” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]10 May 2019 – The authorities have ordered the extra-judicial deportation of Russian critical blogger Ismail Nalgiev after his arrest in the Minsk airport on 8 May 2019.
His lawyer said law enforcement agencies did not disclose the reasons for the blogger’s arrest. Nalgiev has been held in the detention center in Minsk since he was arrested at the airport while he was trying to leave Belarus. He was told that he was on the Russian list of wanted persons. Then the blogger was told that he was charged with a misdemeanor.
It was expected that the charge would be considered on May 10 by the Kastrychnicki district court of Minsk, but in the morning the detainee’s lawyer was informed that there would be no trial and Nalgiev had already been deported.
Link(s)
http://charter97.link/en/news/2019/5/10/333562/
https://belsat.eu/en/news/ingush-blogger-ismail-nalgiev-expelled-from-belarus-without-trial/
http://spring96.org/en/news/92886
https://baj.by/be/content/ingushskogo-blogera-vyslali-iz-belarusi-bez-suda
Categories: Arrest/Detention; Legal Measures
Source of violation: Police/State security[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”More on this case” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”107022″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” link=”https://www.indexoncensorship.org/2019/05/blogger-and-human-rights-defender-ismail-nalgiev-extra-judicially-deported-from-belarus/”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Journalists among those barred from attending a session on redevelopment in Minsk” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]3 May 2019 – Journalists were not allowed to attend the session on the redevelopment of a section of the center of Minsk, which was held in the Pershamaiski district administration of Minsk behind closed doors.
Two dozen local residents, who had submitted written appeals to be present at the session, gathered at the door, but they and media outlets — Radio Liberty and news website TUT.by — were barred from attending.
When Radio Liberty’s Ina Studzinskaya approached the door, a police senior lieutenant roughly threw her out of the office.
Link(s):
https://www.svaboda.org/a/29918765.html
http://charter97.link/ru/news/2019/5/3/332790/
Categories: Blocked Access, Physical Assault
Source of violation: State Agency, Police[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_basic_grid post_type=”post” max_items=”4″ element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1560769127972-f4b1801a-f015-7″ taxonomies=”8996″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
30 Apr 2019 | Belarus, Belarus Incident Reports
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Index on Censorship’s Monitoring and Advocating for Media Freedom project tracks press freedom violations in five countries: Azerbaijan, Belarus, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine. Learn more.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”12 Incidents” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]
Bank account of freelance journalist arrested over not having paid fines for work without accreditation
30 April 2019 – Homel freelancer Andrei Tolchyn was summoned to the executor in conjunction with his four unpaid fines and told that his bank account had been arrested and he would have ten days to pay them.
He was sentenced to heavy fines for ‘illegal production of media content’ without accreditation for the TV channel Belsat. The total amount of the fines is 3200 Belarusian rubles (1,523 dollars).
Update:
Tolchyn’s account was unlocked after the fines had been paid.
Link: https://baj.by/be/content/u-zhurnalista-frylansera-andreya-tolchyna-aryshtavali-rahunak-u-belarusbanku
https://baj.by/be/content/belarusbank-razblakavau-rahunak-zhurnalista-frylansera-raney-zablakavany-z-za-shtrafau
Category: Legal Measures
Source of violation: State Agency
Two Brest freelancers fined
18 April 2019 – Freelance journalists Ales Liauchuk and Milana Kharytonava were fined 1,275 Belarusian rubles (about 600 dollars) each for their cooperation with Belsat TV without accreditation. The decision was taken by the chairperson of the Brest district court.
Link: https://belsat.eu/ru/news/brestskih-nezavisimyh-zhurnalistov-snova-oshtrafovali-bolshie-dengi-vzyskali-s-tretej-popytki/
Category: Fines
Source of violation: Police, Court
Leading independent media not accredited to annual message of president Lukashenko
18 April 2019 – Journalists for the leading news website TUT.BY, the news agency BelaPAN, the newspaper Belorusy I Rynok, and European Radio for Belarus were not accredited to cover the annual message of Alexander Lukashenko to the people and the National Assembly on 19 April 2019.
Two of them, BelaPAN`s Tattyana Karavenkova and special correspondent for European Radio for Belarus Zmitser Lukashuk, are permanently accredited in the parliament.
Link: https://baj.by/be/content/zhurnalistau-nedzyarzhaunyh-smi-ne-akredytavali-na-paslanne-lukashenki
Category: Blocked Access
Source of violation: State Agency
Blogger Siarhei Piatrukhin sentenced to large fine in criminal trial
18 April 2019 – A judge for the Leninski district court of Brest passed a sentence in the criminal case against blogger Siarhei Piatrukhin. He was convicted under Art. 188 (Slander) and Art. 189 (Insult) of the Criminal Code. The reason for initiating his criminal case was an appeal of a police officer over a video on the blogger`s YouTube channel Narodnyj Reportior.
The blogger was fined around 9180 Belarusian rubles (4,590 dollars). Piatrukhin was also obliged to recompense moral damage to four policemen. In total the blogger has to pay 8,840 dollars. In addition, the judge also ordered him to pay legal fees.
This amount should be paid within a month. It is also reported that the blogger made a written undertaking not to leave a place and his property was distrained.
Link: http://charter97.link/en/news/2019/4/18/330954/
Category: Fines
Source of violation: Court
Journalist with photo camera banned from entering into local government premises
Correspondent for the independent newspaper Hazeta Slonimskaya Krystsina Saladukha who came to make pictures of the exhibition of a housing building project launched a day before was banned from entering into the building of Slonim local government in the Hrodna region. A security guard told her she was not entitled to pass people with photographic equipment without a special permission.
Link: https://baj.by/be/content/zhurnalistka-pryyshla-sfatagrafavac-praekt-yae-navat-ne-puscili-u-rayvykankam
Category: Blocked Access
Source of violation: Public official
Freelance journalist Lupach fined twice for a month
15 April 2019 – Hlybokaye-based freelance journalist Zmitser Lupach stood trial in the Sharkaushchyna district court for contributing to Belsat TV without accreditation. A judge imposed on him a fine of 892.5 Belarusian rubles (about $440) over his news story about the weak economy situation and low salaries in the district.
Link: https://belsat.eu/en/news/collecting-negative-opinions-freelance-journo-fined-for-contributing-to-belsat-tv/
Category: Fines
Source of violation: Police, Court
Freelance journalist Yauhen Skrabets fined the second day in a row
12 April 2019 – In Brest, freelance journalist Yauhen Skrabets fined 765 Belarusian rubles (364 dollars) following a police report under Article 22.9 of the Code of Administrative Offences for “production of information content for a foreign media outlet which was not accredited in the Republic of Belarus.” His article titled Activists And Independent Journalists Not Allowed Into the Press Conference at the I-Power Plant had appeared on the website of Belarusian Radio Racyja based in Poland.
Link: https://baj.by/be/content/sud-bresckaga-rayona-pakarau-frylansera-yaugena-skrabca-chargovym-shtrafam
Category: Fines
Source of violation: Police, Court
Freelance journalist fined in Mahiliou
11 April 2019 – A judge in the Leninski district court of Mahiliou ruled to fine freelance journalist Alina Skrabunova 1275 Belarusian rubles (approximately 600 dollars). She was found guilty of “participation in the illegal production of media content” as her video on the opening of an inclusive cafe where wheelchair users work had been broadcasted on the TV channel Belsat.
Link: https://baj.by/be/content/za-syuzhet-pra-lyudzey-z-invalidnascyu-zhurnalistku-pakarali-shtrafam-u-50-bazavyh
Category: Fines
Source of violation: Police, Court
Freelance journalist fined in two cases
11 April 2019 – The Hlybokaye district court fined independent journalist Zmitser Lupach 1,020 Belarusian rubles ($485) in total in two cases. He was tried under Article 22.9 (illegal production and/or distribution of media content) and under Article 23.34 (violation of the procedure for organizing or conducting mass events) of the Code of Administrative Offences. In the first case, the journalist was punished for his report on the TV channel Belsat and, in the second case, for raising a white-red-white flag during Freedom Day, the anniversary of the Belarusian People’s Republic.
Link: http://charter97.link/en/news/2019/4/11/330183/
Category: Fines
Source of violation: Police, Court
Freelance journalist fined in Brest
11 April 2019 – The Leninski district court of Brest considered a case against freelance journalist Yauhen Skrabets under Article 22.9 of the Code of Administrative Offenses over his working for a foreign media outlet without accreditation. The police report states he “interviewed without accreditation, thus violating the rights and obligations of a foreign media journalist.” As a result, a judge fined the journalist BYN 765 ($364).
Link: http://charter97.link/en/news/2019/4/11/330204/
Category: Fines
Source of violation: Police, Court
Police raid Belsat TV office in Minsk
9 April 2018 – Police searched the office of Belsat TV channel in Minsk under a search warrant of the Investigative Committee. An official representative of the Investigative Committee Siarhei Kabakovich confirmed that the search was carried out as part of the investigation of a slander case under Article 188 of the Criminal Code.
In the summer 2018 Belsat TV journalist Ales Zaleuski prepared a video story about corruption at the Minsitry of Health Care, reporting about arrest of Aleh Shved, head of the state-owned enterprise Medtechnocenter. However, the text version on the channel’s website did not repeat the video. The text said, Aleh Shved was arrested together with his brother Andrei, head of the State Committee of Forensic Examination. Editors corrected the mistake and published the retraction immediately after the mistake was noticed. However, Andrei Shved addressed Minister of the Interior asking to prosecute me under criminal charges. In November 2018, the Investigation Committee decided there were no grounds to start criminal proceedings.
However, in January 2019 Minsk city prosecutor’s office instigated a new investigation and brought the case back to the Investigative Committee. Zaleuski believes, there are no other criminal cases against the TV channel staff. According to the journalist, they are looking for the person who published the text under the video story on the website. They have already carried out interrogations with a video camera. The witnesses in the case are Ales Zaleuski, cameraman Aliaxander Lubianchuk, and Belsat representatives Aliaksei Minchonak and Iryna Slaunikava.
During the search, the police seized two computer system units, three laptops, and all data storage media.
Update: Two days later all the equipment seized was returned to Belsat TV.
Link(s): https://belsat.eu/en/news/investigators-raiding-belsat-tv-office-in-minsk/
https://baj.by/en/content/minsk-police-raid-and-search-belsat-office-slander-charges-office-has-been-crushed
http://charter97.link/en/news/2019/4/9/329891/
https://baj.by/en/content/minsk-office-belsat-gets-back-equipment-seized-during-recent-search
Categories: Interrogation, Attack to Property
Source of violation: State Agency, Police
Police hinder journalist’s work while demolishing crosses in Kurapaty
4 April 2019 – Deputy head of the Minsk police department Siarhei Udodau barred journalists from working in Kurapaty near Minsk, where builders were demolishing crosses erected around a people’s memorial to the victims of Stalin’s repressions.
When Deutsche Welle Pauliuk Bykouski said that, under the law, he is entitled to be present at the place of public events, Udodau threatened to detain him for disobeying the police. A similar incident occurred with the correspondent of the Belarusian service of Radio Liberty Aleh Hruzdzilovich.
Euroradio’s Raman Pratasevich said a man in civilian clothes elbowed the journalist’s camera and stood in front of the photographer to hinder filming how the crosses were being demolished. Belsat TV cameraperson Iryna Arakhouskaya was also prevented from recording. Before that, men in civilian clothes prevented journalists from filming the detention of protesters.
Links: https://baj.by/be/content/fakty-perashkodau-u-pracy-zhurnalistau-padchas-padzey-u-kurapatah-4-krasavika
Category: Blocked Access, Physical Assault
Source of violation: Police
Ministry of information bans distribution of BelGazeta issue through newsstand chain
2 April 2019 – An issue of the weekly BelGazeta was withdrawn from the newsstand chain Belsayuzdruk on the recommendation of the ministry of information. The number contained, in particular, humorous pieces and a cartoon on cows. This was due to the fact that President Lukashenko roughly criticized the sanitary condition of the cows on a farm in the Shklou district and this was followed by the deprivation of a number of officials at various levels.
BelGazeta editor-in-chief Kiryl Zhyvalovich visited the ministry of information and had a conversation with the minister. Zhyvalovich refused to specify which articles the ministry had claims against, he just noted that there were several such materials.
Regarding this incident, the Minister of Information Aliaksandr Karliukevich said that “it is unacceptable when media outlets or websites, intentionally hyperbolizing critical claims, falling into open vulgarity and loutishness.”
Links: http://mininform.gov.by/news/all/v-ministerstvo-informatsii-postupilo-neskolko-obrashcheniy/
https://euroradio.fm/ru/belgazeta-mu
https://belsat.eu/ru/news/sistemnoe-hamstvo-i-hamskaya-sistema/
Category: Censorship
Source of violation: State Agency[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_basic_grid post_type=”post” max_items=”4″ element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1560774544760-b343356b-4693-5″ taxonomies=”8996″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
30 Apr 2019 | Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan Incident Reports
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Index on Censorship’s Monitoring and Advocating for Media Freedom project tracks press freedom violations in five countries: Azerbaijan, Belarus, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine. Learn more.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”6 Incidents” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]
Journalist sentenced to 12 years in jail
30 April 2019 – Editor of qafqaznews.az Mahmud Tagiyev was sentenced to 12 years reported Azerbaijan Service for Radio Free Europe.
Tagiyev was found guilty on charges of extortion.
The journalist refutes the accusation and says he is being framed. In his statement, Taghiyev said this was a punishment for his attempt to receive full payment of the property he has sold to an employee of the Prosecutor Office but was unable to receive the payment since the sale of the property. The criminal investigation against the journalist was opened February 8, 2019.
Links:
https://open.az/hadise/azerbaycanda-xeber-agentliyinin-rehberine-cinayet-isi-acildi.html
http://www.tezadlar.az/index.php?newsid=44654
https://ona.az/az/hadise/mahmud-tagiyeve-12-il-hebs-cezasi-verilib-9168
https://www.azadliq.org/a/sayt-r%C9%99hb%C9%99ri-12-il-azadl%C4%B1qdan-m%C9%99hrum-edilib/29912713.html
Categories: Arrest/Detention/Interrogation; Criminal Charges/Fines/Sentences; Legal Measures
Source of violation: Court/Judicial; Government/State Agency/Public official(s)/Political party
Journalist called in for questioning at the Organized Crime Unit
24 April 2019 – Editor of an online news site az24saat.org Vugar Gurdganli was invited for questioning at the Chief Organized Crime Unit in Baku, reported independent online new platform Meydan TV.
Gurdqanli wrote on his Facebook that he received a phone call from a man who introduced himself as an employee of the Crime Unit and asked that Gurdqanli came in for questioning. The journalist said he told the man on the phone that he needs to see an official letter of complaint first before he comes in. Gurdqanli also mentioned that he asked what this questioning was about, but was only told that there has been a complaint against him.
Gurdqanli suspects this call was linked to previous threats he has been receiving after re-publishing a story that was first released by Meydan TV about Ramil Usubov, the Minister of the Interior and his business empire.
Gurdqanli’s website az24saat.org has been blocked for access since 2018.
Links: https://www.meydan.tv/az/article/sayt-redaktoru-meydan-tv-nin-yazisina-gore-bandotdele-cagirildigini-dusunur/?ref=search
https://meydan.tv/az/article/polis-coreyi-ve-ya-usubovlarin-biznesi/?ref=homepage-feature-articles
https://www.abzas.net/2019/04/redaktor-bu-yazi-d%C9%99rc-edildikd%C9%99n-sonra-bir-nec%C9%99-d%C9%99f%C9%99-h%C9%99d%C9%99-qorxu-almisam/
https://www.humanrightsclub.net/x%C9%99b%C9%99rl%C9%99r/2019/jurnalist-bandotdel-%C9%99-cagirilib/
Categories: Arrest/Detention/Interrogation; Intimidation; Blocked Access
Source of violation: Police/State security
News Agency refused accreditation to cover Formula 1 race
24 April 2019 – Turan News Agency, the only remaining independent news agency was refused accreditation to cover the Formula 1 race that will take place between 26 – 28 April, reported independent Meydan TV.
The accreditation was denied by the Baku City Circuit, the main company in charge of organising the race.
Turan News Agency applied for accreditation already in January but the request was denied on no grounds said Turan News Agency in a statement.
The agency considered this decision intentional and continuation of state policy on restricting freedom of the speech. The agency received accreditation in 2017-2018.
Links:
https://meydan.tv/az/article/turan-informasiya-agentliyi-formula-1-yarismasinin-teskilatcilarini-diskriminasiyada-ittiham-edib/?ref=homepage-news
http://www.turan.az/ext/news/2019/4/free/Want%20to%20Say/az/80433.htm
https://www.amerikaninsesi.org/a/turan-i%CC%87nformasiya-agentliyi-formula-1-t%C9%99r%C9%99find%C9%99n-diskriminasiyan%C4%B1-pisl%C9%99yir/4887629.html
Categories: Blocked access
Source of violation: Corporation/company
Audio recording between two journalists leaked
9 April 2019 – US based Azerbaijani journalist Sevinc Osmangizi confirmed that a phone conversation with another journalist based in Germany was leaked by a pro-government news platform in Azerbaijan, reported Azadliq Radio, Azerbaijan Service for Radio Free Europe.
Osmangizi believes the conversation with the said journalist was recorded outside of their knowledge and that it was done by the special services in Azerbaijan.
Neither the authorities nor the news outlet that aired the conversation have commented on the developments.
The audio recording that was leaked took place several weeks ago before it was leaked and the two discussed possible project together.
Update:
26 April 2019 – After releasing the exchange between Osmangizi and another journalist, the authorities have now threatened Osmangizi to release intimate footage of the journalist, reported multiple sources in Azerbaijan and internationally.
Osmangizi is threatened by another journalist, formerly with Azerbaijan News Agency, Mirshahin Agayev who now heads a pro-government media platform Real TV.
In a video Osmangizi shared on her own YouTube channel, Osmangizi says, nothing is going to prevent her from doing her work, even such tricks as this one.
Osmangizi previously received death threats against her and her family.
Links: https://www.azadliq.org/a/sevinc-osmanq%C4%B1z%C4%B1-t%C9%99hl%C3%BCk%C9%99sizliyi-il%C9%99-ba%C4%9Fl%C4%B1-m%C3%BCraci%C9%99t-edib/29872316.html
https://www.facebook.com/kriminalpress/posts/1005561049641079
https://chai-khana.org/en/azerbaijans-ans-death-of-a-tv-station
https://www.facebook.com/AmnestyUKFormerSovietUnion/photos/rpp.411814202351103/1068344913364692/?type=3&theater
https://cpj.org/2016/10/azerbaijani-tv-journalists-receive-death-threats.php
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQCxqfgA-Cg&t=35s
Categories: Intimidation, Online Defamation/Discredit/Harassment/Verbal Abuse, Offline Defamation/Discredit/Harassment/Verbal Abuse
Source of violation: Police/State security, Government/State Agency/Public official(s)/Political party, Known private individual(s), Another media
Independent news website blocked
9 April 2019 – arqument.az has been rendered inaccessible and eventually blocked without any official notification to the editors, reported independent online news site Meydan TV.
The website’s editor Shamshad Aga speaking to the media, said, the website was subject to DDoS attacks before it was made completely inaccessible.
While it was possible to access the website through a VPN on April 8, as of April 9, this was no longer the case.
Argument.az was also blocked in 2018.
Links: https://mappingmediafreedom.ushahidi.io/posts/22551
https://www.meydan.tv/az/article/arqumentaz-saytina-giris-bloklanib/?ref=search
Categories: Blocked Access, DDoS/Hacking/Doxing
Source of violation: Police/State security; Government/State Agency/Public official(s)/Political party; Unknown
Blogger not allowed to leave the country
9 April 2019 – Former political prisoner, Mehman Huseynov was prevented from leaving the country reported Azadliq Radio, Azerbaijan Service for Radio Free Europe.
Huseynov was released from jail in March 2019 after having served the two year jail term.
Huseynov has been unable to leave the country for eight years.
The blogger had planned to travel to Berlin and Strasbourg to attend a conference organized by the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights. He was also scheduled to participate at a conference on journalists’ safety in Vienna, organized by the OSCE representative on freedom of the media.
Update: 13 April 2019 – Huseynov was finally allowed to leave Azerbaijan
Background:
Popular video blogger Mehman Huseynov was sentenced to two years in prison on defamation charges by the Surakhani district court. He was arrested in the courtroom, Azadiiq reported.
Nasimi district police chief Musa Musayev brought a lawsuit against Huseynov, claiming the blogger lied when he said that he had been tortured when he was detained in January 2017. Huseynov is the first person to be arrested for slander in Azerbaijan.
The blogger is the administrator of popular Facebook page Sancaq which has over 300,000 subscribers. He shares videos claiming to expose high level corruption among Azerbaijani officials.
Huseynov was detained on 9 January in central Baku, by a group of plain-clothed police officers. He was held incommunicado overnight allegedly for violating administrative rules. The next day, court fined him 200AZN (€100) on charges of disobeying the police (Article 535.1 of the Code of Administrative Offences). Speaking to journalists following his brief detention, Huseynov said police placed a sack over his head and used force against him during the detention. On 11 January, his lawyer Elchin Sadigov published pictures showing traces of torture on Huseynov’s body and blood stains on his clothes.
UPDATE: 12 April 2017 – Blogger Mehman Huseynov’s appeal was rejected by the Baku court of appeal, independent Azerbaijan service for Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty reported.
Huseynov’s lawyer Elchin Sadigov said they will file an appeal to the supreme court, and described the appeal court’s decision as illegal and failing to observe legal norms.
UPDATE: 25 June 2018 – The Azerbaijan Supreme Court upheld the two-year prison sentence handed down to Mehman Huseynov in March 2017, Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty’s Azerbaijan service reported.
Huseynov was not present at the hearing. His lawyer said the case would now be taken up with the European Court of Human Rights.
UPDATE: 24 August 2018 – A regional court in Garadag ruled against the motion for conditional release of the blogger Mehman Huseynov, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Azerbaijan Service reported.
Speaking to Azadliq Radio, Huseynov’s lawyer Shahla Humbatova said the court reached its decision on the basis of a report submitted by the administration of the penitentiary where Huseynov is being held. The report concluded that Huseynov had failed to reform during his time in jail.
UPDATE: 26 December 2018 – New charges are being brought against Mehman Huseynov on the grounds that he “resisted a representative of the authorities with the use of violence dangerous to his health and life” – an accusation that Huseynov denies. If found guilty, he could face a further seven years in jail, the website of the international free expression website Ifex reported.
The new charges were brought just two months before he was due to be released from jail.
On the same day as the fresh charges were brought, Mehman announced that he was going on hunger strike. He refused to drink water until 30 December, but after this severe health complications forced him to start drinking water.
Huseynov suffers from a severe case of varicose vein rupture, and a prison doctor has recommended immediate medical intervention to stop the internal bleeding.
UPDATE: 7 January 2019 – Mehman Huseynov broke off his hunger strike and started to drink liquid dairy products after suffering from stomach pains, the pan-Caucasus website JAM News reported.
UPDATE: 15 January 2019 – Around a dozen people in Azerbaijan have begun hunger strikes as an act of solidarity with imprisoned blogger Mehman Huseynov, JAM News reported.
Five political prisoners have begun hunger strikes in prison, JAM said, adding that award-winning Azerbaijani reporter Khadija Ismaylova joined the hunger strike on 15 January to show her solidarity with political prisoners in the country.
Seven of those who began hunger strikes since the beginning of the year are members of the opposition party Musavat, including the deputy chairman of the party, Tofik Yaqublu. Two of the Musavat members have since broken off their hunger strikes.
UPDATE: 22 January 2019 – The Azerbaijani authorities announced that they are dropping the latest criminal charges brought against imprisoned blogger Mehman Huseynov, who has already spent more than two years in jail, Trend news agency reported.
The country’s Prosecutor General issued a statement saying that “The criminal case against Mehman Huseynov has been cancelled.”
The statement said that the decision to drop the charges had been taken after human rights defenders and Huseynov himself appealed directly to President Ilham Aliyev “to ensure the objectivity of the investigation.”
It noted that, based on the president’s recommendation, “The criminal case on Mehman Huseynov was terminated due to the fact that he is a young man, was not subject to disciplinary liability during his term of punishment, took the path of reform, and his old father is in need of care.”
Trend said that Aliyev, “for whom the principles of justice and humanism are always a priority, took the appeals into account and gave recommendations to the General Prosecutor’s Office to conduct an objective investigation of the criminal case, to take all necessary measures provided by law to make a fair and humane decision.”
The agency added that “the Prosecutor General’s Office of Azerbaijan warns those who, for the sake of personal interests and political goals, are trying to create an artificial fuss around Mehman Huseynov, as well as the media spreading false information about him, that any illegal actions aimed at violating stability and tranquillity in the country will resolutely be stopped within the framework of the law.”
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty noted that the latest move comes after large-scale demonstrations in Baku in support of Huseynov and the adoption of a European Parliament resolution calling for his immediate release.
Links: https://mappingmediafreedom.ushahidi.io/posts/20892
https://www.azadliq.org/a/mehman-h%C3%BCseynov-m%C9%99ni-girov-kimi-saxlamaq-ist%C9%99yirl%C9%99r-/29870043.html
https://www.meydan.tv/en/article/blogger-mehman-huseynovs-travel-ban-lifted/?ref=article-related-artciles
https://cpj.org/2019/04/azerbaijani-blogger-mehman-huseynov-blocked-from-l.php
Categories: Intimidation, Blocked Access
Sources of violation: Police/State security, Government/State Agency/Public official(s)/Political party, Court/Judicial[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_basic_grid post_type=”post” max_items=”4″ element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1575027709088-0979c989-ce0b-2″ taxonomies=”8996″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
